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eleanore-delphinium · 4 years

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Reciprocate II

PART 1: Reciprocate I: Raven

PART 2: Reciprocate II: Damian (you are here)

PART 3: Finale: Reciprocate III: The After

Reciprocate II: Damian

In a sterile white room devoid of any color and of any indication of ownership or personalization from the owner of the room, laid a single figure on top of a white medical bed, white sheets tucked over her sternum. It was bright, and lonely and rather very empty—except for the pale woman with purple hair that reached just below her breast, on the bed. An empty chair on her right side and bedside tables with nothing on top, on either side of her bed. Her hands laid on her sides and her eyes close. There was no indication of movement except for her quiet breathing.

The door opens, to reveal Damian Wayne in a white button up shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, black slacks and black dress shoes. Despite his neat outfit, his hair was a mess and his eyes were blood shot with eyebags underneath. He looked as though he had not slept well at all—which was likely the case.

Afterall, he had not slept well since the day Raven got stabbed. There were good days and bad. Now—today was a better day. He walks to the empty chair beside Raven’s right hand, his back facing the door. He sits on the chair and gaze longingly at the figure on the bed.

And he recalled what had transpired that night—the night that caused Raven’s current medical condition.

Raven had fallen and her eyes slowly fluttering close. He could tell that she was trying not to lose consciousness. Raven lifted a hand towards Damian and Garfield’s general direction. And Damian couldn’t help but wonder if she was trying to reach out to him or Garfield.

‘It had to be Garfield.’, he thought because it would not make sense if Raven was trying to reach out to him. Damian couldn’t help but feel very bitter inside. She would never choose him.

At this moment the creature was distracted by Tim who was on the other side, seeing this—Damian took the opportunity to run to Raven. He took note of the footsteps that followed behind him. Garfield was right behind Damian as they ran toward Raven.

Her raised hand was faltering and Damian felt as though his heart was about to jump out of his throat, out of fear.

No. You cannot close your eyes. I will not allow it! Damian ran faster towards Raven and as her hand fell to the ground, he finally reached her side. But her eyes had also closed, and Damian held his breath as he-- so very gently, held her in his arms.

“Raven! Raven!” He calls to her frantically. “No. No. No. Don’t close your eyes, please come back, stay conscious!” His breathing was ragged, his heart beating loudly in his ears. Damian bit his lip and held his breath in a conscious manner, as he tried to calm himself, and think. He had to think.

“Raven! Oh god no.” Garfield stood hovering above Raven, and the next second he was reaching out to Raven. But Damian pulled her closer to him and gave Garfield the darkest and cruelest glare Garfield had ever seen. And Garfield froze, he took a deep breath and gulped down his fear.

“Gar…” Terra came running towards Garfield, and her eyes laid on Raven. “No, if-if she didn’t try to protect me—” Damian gave Terra the same glare Garfield received, making her unable to finish her thought. She froze in fear too.

“We have to stop her bleeding.” Damian absent-mindedly say, his voice cold, and as he scanned Raven’s wound, his eye twitched. Raven had a gaping hole on her chest, Damian did not want to think about it—but the situation was truly grim.

“How are you going to—” Garfield received another glare from Damian.

Damian was not asking or seeking their help to stop Raven’s bleeding, he had said what he had said to inform them only. He will deal with Raven’s injury.

Damian reaches for something in his utility belt, and he pulls out three silver balls. His facial expression seemingly frozen into a cold and uncaring expression as he places the one-inch sized ball strategically on her gaping wound. He placed one on top and two at the bottom, forming a triangle. It beeps and glows a faint blue and came out a purple like foam.

Damian’s right eye twitched, his lips pressed together so much that his lips became pale and his brows drawn so closely together, that he looked like he would punch the next person who would touch him.

He had no choice. This was the only way to ‘plug’ Raven’s gaping hole. She was losing too much blood because of it.

Damian clenched his teeth even more, if that was even possible. He rests Raven on his right arm as his hands clenched tightly. Underneath the gloves, one would have noticed how white his fist had become. His brows still tightly knit together, it looked painful to watch his brows like that.

And to Garfield and Terra, he looked like the scariest man on earth. They seemed to fear Damian more than the unbeatable monster that had stabbed Raven into this state.

Damian hated what he had to do. He hated that he had to plug Raven like this. He hated that he knew he had to put her down now. Now.

There was a moment of hesitance, but Damian bit his lip till it bled to keep his focus.

“We need to put Raven in a safe spot,” He says in a clipped manner as he picks Raven up in his arms in a princess carry, “distract that thing and keep him far away from her.” He continuous absent-mindedly as his eyes quickly analyze the best spot to hide her away.

And at the same time, he recalls her injury. There were no organs that were damage, that at least is a good thing. And he hoped and prayed-- at that same moment-- that Raven can survive this.

With Damian standing on his full length, Garfield snapped out from his frozen state and had begun to reach out for Raven once again.

“Don’t you dare touch her!” Damian snarled in such an unsightly manner that Garfield remembered the initial fear Damian gave him. Terra did not feel the fear again because she was looking at Garfield with worry and realization. Terra missed to see Damian’s expression and his words did not register in her mind because she knew at that moment while looking at Garfield—that Raven and Garfield will always have history.

Of course, she knew of Raven and Garfield’s relationship and didn’t mind it. Raven was simply his past. Garfield told her that he loves her, and that he would never go back to Raven—if that was something Terra worried about. And he must have kept his word. But the years Raven and him shared was something that could never be erased. And emotions built up throughout those years was something that couldn’t be replaced so easily. To realize such a thing now of all places—

Damian had accidentally hit Terra as he started moving, cutting Terra’s thoughts. For a second her eyes laid on the boy wonder—and to her, she did not see a hero protecting or saving someone. She saw a man holding someone in a way, that showed he was too afraid to hold any tighter in fear of losing her. A man refusing to blink, too afraid that it would be his last sight of her and that she would turn into dust any moment now. He held her in such a cautious manner—that it hurt to see him so forlorn like that.

That was something she thought she would never see in Damian Wayne. His body—every cell seemed to radiate a want to not let go of the woman in his arms. A conflict of holding her so tightly so he can remember how it feels to hold her and yet—still, he was a man of responsibility. Despite his desire to just be with her—he knew where he stands—the monster was still there.

Terra quickly turned, refusing to see Garfield’s expression—it was something she did not want to see right now.

“I will cover for you, Damian.” She tells him.

Damian sighed loudly in the white room, his forehead resting on his hands that was propped up on the bed beside Raven’s right hand. When they finally got to neutralize the enemy, the first thing Damian did was run to where Raven was. He was so afraid that when he got there, she would be cold and blue.

But she held on.

She held on.

He sighed again, as he turned his head that was resting on his right hand towards Raven.

He begged his father to help him keep her alive, and the first few months—God those were awful. When they arrived to have her healed, nothing was working. Whatever that creature was and what he did, messed with her. He begged his father to do anything—anything. Somehow, they found a way to stabilize her and close the gaping hole in her chest—of course every step was a struggle.

Seeing her with so much tubes and monitor, some advance tech and some actual alien tech, hurt Damian in a way that a bullet shot could not compare. And he felt so helpless.

Damian Wayne—son of Batman, son of Bruce Wayne, a robin—a boy wonder—an assassin at some point, still a man seen as the heir of the Demon’s Head—felt so powerless despite all the titles and honor and glory those titles held. He still felt powerless.

He held the woman he had loved for years in his arms, and had to leave her in her injured state to defend the world of the very same creature that injured her. He left her all alone in a corner—not even knowing if she would be alive when he returned. He knew that having someone guard her would be a waste of man power. He had to think of the bigger picture—because it is his responsibility, he couldn’t put her over that. And a small part of him hates himself for it.

He had seen her struggle to survive day after day, and night after night since then. The rejection her body faced—and his selfishness, thinking—hoping that she would survive it.

And she did.

She survived everything. And most of the tubes and monitors were finally taken away. Of course, she still had an IV drip and a monitor checking her vitals, just in case. Still, it was fifteen less tubes and monitors—and doctors and scientists.

Damian reached out for Raven’s right hand with his left, his palm resting on the back of her hand. He had gotten so used to all the tubes and monitors, that the first week without them was so unfamiliar to him.

Every time he visited her, he expected the tubes and monitors to multiply and revert back to when they couldn’t seem to cure her. Up until just a few weeks ago, he expected that they would return because she would become unstable again. But it never happened. He was so thankful it never happened. He slips his right hand under hers.

“Raven, won’t you wake up already?” He mutters, he had gotten used to talking to himself whenever he visited her.

“I still planned to confess to you,” He chuckles emptily “Won’t you at least let me do that?” He brought her hand to his forehead. “Let me be selfish…”

~.~.~.~.~

The door to Raven’s personal room opens, revealing Damian in his robin uniform, his mask off. He walks to her in a slightly slump manner. Takes her hand on his and sighs.

“I’m sorry Raven, it appears that I can’t visit you for the unforeseeable future. Something came up.” He looks at her sleeping face sadly.

“Don’t be angry, I try to visit you every day after all, even if it’s just for a couple of minutes, but I never missed a day since you got injured.” He pauses. “If you ask me, I’m pretty sure they were lenient on my lack of participation in missions recently because I looked as if I had lost a lover.” He laughs.

“It’s funny-- how I am reacting as if I had lost a lover—when we never really got to be together. It would be nice if you wake up—at least let me confess to you clearly. And you can put a rest to my pining.” He didn’t know why, but he felt that he had to rearrange her hair before he left and so he did.

“I will come back, I promise you.” He says as he reluctantly let go of her hand. He refused to look back as he left the room, and takes his mask from his utility belt and puts it on.

~.~.~.~.~

The door opens gently again as Damian Wayne in an all-black outfit walks in. He was in his signature black turtle neck. He had on a thin black framed eyeglass perched on his nose. He held a book on his left hand. He had gotten used to opening the door slowly and gently, out of the fear that when he opens the door she wouldn’t be there anymore.

At first, he thought that it was an unreasonable fear, but clearly it was not. He was afraid, that the time he wasn’t with her, she would have long been gone. And when he comes to visit, he would be greeted with an empty bed. And he would not be able to even say his farewells.

He closes the door even more gently—because when the door closes this time was theirs—well his. Because she was still unconscious—still very unaware of his presence.

“Hey Raven, I brought the book I last read to you—I have enough time today to read to you just a few chapters.” He says as he walks to his position beside her. He takes a seat on the chair and held her right hand with his right hand. “It would be nice if you woke up soon.” He smiles grimly, the words have started becoming something he said out of habit.

Damian gave her a little recap of what he had read to her before as he held her hand. After that, he continued where he left off, holding her hand when he wasn’t flipping through pages. He read in a slow manner; his mind more aware of the fact that her hand felt so very right against his, instead of the words he was saying aloud.

~.~.~.~.~

Raven was still lying unconscious in the white room, on her white bed. Everything was quiet inside.

“Damian it’s been almost eight months!” Came a voice from outside the room.

“So, what Grayson!” Yelled back the voice of Damian Wayne. He was in an argument right outside of Raven’s room with Dick Grayson, his adopted brother—also known as Nightwing.

“Are you serious Dami?” A pause. “At least let others see her!”

“By others you mean Garfield, right?” A loud bang was heard from inside the room.

“Well—shit, yes! Why won’t you let Gar see her? He has been asking about her or where she is.”

“Don’t you dare bring Garfield to see her—don’t you dare!” A furious reply from Damian as shuffling footsteps were heard.

“Look man, I get it. I really do. But Damian, you can’t just hide her away from her teammates.”

“You see her too.”

“You know that’s not what I mean.” A louder bang entered Raven’s room.

“She planned to leave anyways.” Damian says defensively. There was silence for a few seconds and a frustrated humph could be heard from outside the room.

“I—I didn’t think anyone would be able to deal with seeing her in that way—I” Damian pauses. “I don’t think they’d want to see her in a coma—I thought it was for the best. I—I’m sorry Grayson, I will let them see her—but—just not Garfield, Grayson. That is all I am asking from you, just not him. He caused her enough pain.” And the door to Raven’s room opened. She still laid there asleep. Damian did not wait for Dick’s reply. He slowly closes the door behind him.

He was in a black button up polo shirt tucked into his black slacks, that was held into place by a silver belt and his black leather shoes. He looked tired and but there was no hint of anger.

“You must have heard our little argument, huh?” He says approaching the familiar chair he always sat on when visiting her. “I’m sorry to have disturbed your sleep.” He continues as he sat down on the chair and takes her hand in his again. “Of course, I didn’t disturb your sleep, after all your still unconscious.” A hollow chuckle soon follows.

Damian places the back of Raven’s hand against his forehead. “You can wake up now. Scold me for being so selfish. For not allowing Garfield to visit you. In fact, for not letting anyone else visit you aside from a select few. But—mostly Garfield. I will not allow him in here too— in this space-- so why don’t you wake up and just tell me how selfish I am.” He tilts his head to look at Raven while her hand is still pressed on temple of his head.

But as usual there was no response. He was so used to talking to himself now. At this point, Damian was very convinced that Raven had tried to reach out for Garfield, one last time, before she fainted. And the thought was something that caused him bitterness.

Even in her near-death, Garfield was the last in her mind.

~.~.~.~.~

Damian was sitting on the same chair holding Raven’s hand. Three months has passed since Damian and Dick’s heated argument outside of Raven’s bedroom. He wore a red hoodie with black pants and black shoes. This time around, for the first time, he looked less tired since this whole ordeal happened.

“It looks like you had a lot of visitors this month too.” He glances at the flowers on both bedside tables, pictures in frames of Raven with the team and other things. Now the room seemed to have a little bit of personality.

“I think it’s great that you have some visitors. Though I admit, I think that eventually they will come to visit less and less, so I think you should wake up soon. Everyone misses you a lot. I think the longer you stay asleep people would forget about you. Everyone you know is a hero Raven, and even though you stay asleep—we still have to defend the people. Everyone’s priorities will shift and they would have less time to see you. And because they have started settling with your absence, for sure the visits will lessen. But I promise, I will visit you every day until you wake up.” Damian placed a gentle kiss on the back of her hand and he froze.

His lips hovering over her hand. He wipes the spot he kissed her at, with this thumb.

“I’m sorry, I should be asking permission. I didn’t—” He stared at the back of her hand. “I’m sorry I don’t know since when I started doing that, but I’m sorry. I overstepped.” He gently places her hand back on the bed and stood up. “Let’s see what’s in the drawers, shall we?” He mutters to himself. And surveyed every nook and cranny and objects in her room, keeping a mental inventory.

“We will be starting a new book soon. I no longer keep track of the books we’ve read.” He says after finishing his inspection of the room and went to sit back on the chair and crossed his arms across his chest.

“Well—I mean I keep track of the titles but no longer itemize them…” He adds quietly, he used to count them but stopped at around the fifth book because it seemed like the list would continue to grow. And seeing the number rise would just be another reminder of the fact, that the days waiting for Raven to wake was stretching to impossibility.

~.~.~.~.~

It was a little over a year since Raven has been in her comatose state. The room felt heavy and she stirred because of it. Her breathing a little louder—a little labored. Her eyes fluttered opened—her vision a blur. She saw two figures at the foot of her bed. The taller one looking at the shorter man. The shorter one was looking at her startled—he seemed to have an odd skin color. She could almost swear it was green. Raven’s eyes started to roll back to unconsciousness.

“Dick, she’s awake!” It was a familiar voice; Raven couldn’t help but think.

“What?” Dick turned to look at Raven her eyelids slowly closing, her labored breathing slowly quieting down.

“I saw her eyes open; I swear it!” She recognized the voice as Garfield, but knowing who it was did not give her any extra motivation to fight her sleepiness.

“What the fuck is going on here!” Another familiar voice furiously entered Raven’s faltering consciousness. She wanted to wake up—to fight the tiredness she was feeling. But it was simply too late now.

The door had banged open when Damian entered. Damian was still wearing his black outer coat, his shoes dirty as he had just arrived from outside. He had no time to freshen up to visit Raven because he found out what Dick was up to.

When his eyes laid on Garfield who was looking at Raven, he wanted to rip Garfield’s head off. Damian Wayne looked like he was going to pop a vein on his neck. He glared at Dick with such open hostility that Dick was taken aback, and Garfield beside him recalled the fear Damian instilled in him that night Raven got injured.

“Her eyes opened; I saw it!” Garfield says frantically, hoping that would ease Damian’s anger. Damian takes a glance at Raven—but she was at the same state he had last seen her in.

Comatose.

“I asked you one thing, Grayson!” He growls as he slowly stomped his way to Dick whose hands were up in a ‘I surrender’ way. Damian grabbed Dick’s coat collar and pulled him close. “One thing Grayson!” He shoved Dick and points at Garfield.

“Look—you can’t continue denying someone who wants to visit a friend.” Dick tries to calm his brother down as he straightens his coat.

“Friend?” Damian snorts in response.

“Look, Damian I begged Dick to bring me to her.” Garfield says and he received Damian’s angry glare.

“Get. Out.” Damian simply said, he looked as though he would kill either of them any second now. For some weird reason Garfield got a little more courage at that moment, he began to open his mouth. Dick seeing Garfield’s lips open—quickly intercepted by pulling Garfield by the arm and pulling him towards the door.

“I’m sorry little D, we will talk about it outside.” Dick says as he drags Garfield out, giving Garfield a stern look to ensure Garfield’s silence. Garfield wasn’t happy but he understood that Dick was looking out for him.

Damian stood where he was, glaring at Raven as he waits for the door to close behind Dick and Garfield. He was stiff in his spot and his fists clenched so tightly. He was still very much angry. He stood like that for five more minutes before he tried to calm himself down. His fist unclenched and his brows unfurrow.

“So—well stop pretending then—his gone now—so wake up.” He demanded in a low voice as he hovered beside Raven near the chair. She did not move. And Damian laughed brokenly as he fell on his knees. He reached out for her right hand absentmindedly and rested his nose on the back of her palm.

“So, it turns out you just needed him to visit you to wake up?” Damian whispers as tears fall on her hand. “So why aren’t you awake already?” He sobbed.

It was never him—she never chose him.

~.~.~.~.~

It had been four months since Garfield have been regularly visiting Raven, and at times he would also bring Terra with him. Damian had conceded with Garfield’s wish to allow him visitation rights to see Raven. Damian could not stay angry at Dick for over two weeks, and the pair reconciled, despite Dick undermining Damian’s wishes. Damian understood that Dick was looking out for him.

Damian’s family was very much worried over him since Raven’s fall. He acted more detached and unapproachable. He wasn’t sleeping well and every second he could spare he was always hovering over Raven. In fact, he slept well hunched by Raven’s bedside with Raven’s hand against his hands and forehead. Damian was even unwilling to celebrate his twenty-second birthday with Raven still unconscious. And they could see the toll it was taking on Damian.

His family knew he needed a little push to try and let Raven’s state go and pushing Damian to allow Garfield entry was the way to do it. Damian needed to move on.

But here he was again, in the white room he specifically prepared for her. Her accommodations all arranged by him, and his visits always a constant. But the past four months were difficult, as he was also actively avoiding having to meet Garfield when Garfield was visiting Raven.

When Damian was able to take a step back from his anger at what Dick did—he knew that his family did it to distract Damian—to keep him away from lurking around Raven. He understood it was made of good intentions. Damian reaches out for Raven’s hand, a habit he has come to develop long ago.

He wore a plain white shirt with jeans. His hair not as neat as it usually was, and eyebags were under his eyes yet again.

“But I guess I am a man who will only love one person in their life.” He mutters placing Raven’s hand against his right cheek. “I’ve come to wonder sometimes if I am unfortunate to be such a man—or to fall for you—” he studies her face; he has memorized every detail about her. How could he not when he was here, beside her so frequently.

“I’ve come to learn that loving you is not something to be regretful about. In fact, I am rather thankful for it. But you really got me pining over you, Raven.” He sighs, his eyes not capturing even the smallest of movement from Raven. “I love you.” He whispers and brushed his lips against the skin on the back of her hand.

A week and a half after, Damian is pacing at the foot of Raven’s bed, very much frustrated. He paused and glared at Raven, running his hands through his head, a sign of his developing anger. He stomps towards his spot as he glared at Raven again.

His hair was a mess, his eyebags had gotten darker. His clothes that was a plain black shirt with jeans had creases, very uncharacteristic of him.

“I don’t get it!” He says containing most of his anger. “You obviously woke up the first time Garfield visited you! Tsk, as it turns out, all you need was for him to visit you-- for you to wake up. So why did you go back to sleep!” His tone louder now and he sighs to try and dispel a little of his anger. His hand at his side clenched into balls.

Damian was seething in anger, and he exhaled and inhaled in air as if he was palpitating. Finally, the anger he had dissipated. But it was replaced by raw hopelessness, anyone who would see him in such a state, would feel their hearts knot.

“You really—really got me pining over you.” Damian says as he knelt on the floor with a hunched back as he takes her right hand in between his palms. “It’s funny how you pined over someone else as I pined over you—it seems that your making me pine over you just as long as you pined over him.”

The chair he usually sat on was across the room, toppled down. A droplet of water falls in front of Damian’s right knee.

~.~.~.~.~

Two months passed just like that. Raven’s friends had long since stopped visiting her as frequently as they did the first three months. Asking them to take so much time off of their busy hero life, was too much to ask for. But Damian always made time for her, and at almost a year and a half the toll of doing so had fully manifested.

He looked so tired, his eye bags in the darkest shade it had been since the accident. He looked thinner, not scarily thin, but it was obvious he had lost some weight. His clothes were as neat as it could be. His white button up shirt crisp and so is his black slacks. His black leather shoes very shiny. He placed a lot of effort in his appearance because even he could tell that his health has waned, and he was compensating with his clothes.

When Raven was in ICU for the first three months, he was in such a bad state. When she finally got relatively cured but was on comatose, he looked better-- more relaxed. Then a little after, he had to continue with his responsibilities, particularly as a hero and somehow, he managed.

But now at almost a year and a half of juggling hero life, personal and family life. Being with Raven almost every day since the night she got hurt. To actively avoiding Garfield while Garfield was visiting and arranging his own visits to go around Garfield’s visitation, but also keeping to his schedule and preference of seeing Raven on a very regular basis. And Raven still not waking up—Damian was quite spent.

He was sitting on his chair facing Raven’s right hand. His head propped onto his hands which were propped up on his knees. He was looking at Raven’s face blankly, dark circles under his eyes. He didn’t know how much longer he could do this.

Raven’s state was always at the forefront of his mind. And when he was in a mission, he tried to put it as a lesser priority. But when he is near to death his first thought is: If I die who will look after Raven? And so, he fights with every screaming fiber he had, even when he was in such excruciating pain. After all, he still had to see her wake up.

One would think a year and a half wasn’t really a long time—but it did not feel like it has been just over a year for Damian—it felt like he has been waiting for her to wake up for five years.

He had just realized quite recently, just exactly how much stress he had gotten due to all this. And it was taking a major toll on him. He now completely understood why his family was worried about it—about him. Hindsight after all is 20/20. And he now clearly sees, exactly how concerning his state was.

There was only one solution. His eyes flickered to Raven—he had not noticed that his gaze had drifted off of her and was surprised when his eyes laid on her again. He sighs and suddenly stands up, and picks up a lock of her hair.

“Raven, your hair has grown quite a bit—its already at waist level. I thought of having it cut—but I think that should be your decision.” He places it back down. “If you don’t wake up any time soon—I’m afraid I would have to let you go.” He mumbles to himself as he turned around to lean on the bed and gaze at the ceiling blankly.

Two weeks after, Damian was back in her room, looking even worst. This time he was just standing beside Raven with a very empty gaze. He had been standing there in his black slacks, black dress shoes and a green button up polo shirt for fifteen minutes already.

“I give up Rae.” He looks down on the ground. His words so soft because he was very much afraid of the implications himself. He knew he had to let her go.

“I—I don’t think I can visit you like this.” He fought the tears as he said his words a little louder. And there was nothing left to say, he just softly touched her hand for a second and pulled away and then looked at her blankly.

A month after Damian’s decision to let Raven go, he realized getting to the conclusion and acknowledging what had to be done and executing his decisions were two completely different things. He was still visiting her in the same consistency that he always had. And he knew he had to fight to break the habit that he had already formed. Seeing her was second nature to him, and he simply had to break it.

~.~.~.~.~

Two months after, Damian was finally able to decrease his visits. And had even met Garfield a few times and actually didn’t mind it. His visit reduction was not really significant but the fact he was able to decrease it at all, was a win for him.

He was in jeans and a red shirt, looking very casual and he looked more unbothered and not so tired. His hands in his pockets as he just stood. For the first time, he looked genuinely relaxed. His gaze at her was soft and the eyebags he had been sporting in different shades, for almost two years, were significantly less dark this time.

“I know I don’t visit often anymore—and you probably can’t tell—aside from the obvious,” A small twinkle in his eyes at the little joke. The fact that he could make a joke like that, spoke volumes of how far he had come. “You really made me pine over you for the duration you pined over Garfield. Nine years—you really made this whole thing come into full circle. You pined for him for nine years and decided to move on completely—but this happens.” He gestured at her generally.

“Now I have pined for you for the same duration, and I have decided to move on too.” He said grimly and the hint of playfulness he had prior was gone. “It really came full circle.”

He just stood to her right with a small smile. He tried his best not to stay so long to visit her nowadays. Damian found that standing was the best option in order for him not to stay longer than he intended.

Damian puts his hand atop Raven’s, he has also avoided holding her hand properly or else he’d find himself sitting on his spot and just holding her hand. He would then talk to her and the intended short visit would become like his regular visits from before.

“I have decided. I am moving on—I am letting you go.” And he pulled his hand away a little too quickly, afraid of the temptation that was the familiarity of her hand against his—or maybe it was his hand against hers. After all, it was always him holding onto her.

His head had looked away to look at the flowers on her bedside tables. He has been talking to her about visiting her less, and letting her go for a few months now. At first it was just a passing thought. But the last two months, it seemed Damian had to tell her every time he visited. He was unaware of how frequent he was telling her that. But in retrospect, he could tell now that he had been dropping hints.

It started from hints, to telling her absentmindedly, to repeatedly telling her every time he visits—until finally he was able to visit less. And because Damian turned his head, he missed the small twitched of Raven’s hand when he pulled his hand away, to look at her bedside.

There was silence, as he looked down and closed his eyes. He squeezes his eyes for a moment then sighs as he looks at Raven, a faint smile on his lips. He took a step back, feeling as though he was leaving his heart on this spot. He then turns feeling lonely yet strong and regretful at the same time.

When he was gone, Raven’s eyebrow twitched.

The next day when Damian decided to check on Raven’s condition, he was frozen in fear to see the scientist and doctors hovering over Raven who was attached to so many monitors and tubes.

It was like he had stepped into the time she was brought in to close up her wound. He was unfrozen when she saw her spasming. He ran towards her, as her chest lifted and she was choking, black almost slime like blood came out from her mouth and spilling from her oxygen mask.

“Sir—we need you out of the way.” A doctor pulled Damian away. “Who let this one in!” The doctor adds and a nurse took Damian away, trying to console him.

“This is odd—there seems to be no traces of the compound we found last time. But her body is rejecting something.” Damian hears the doctor say, at that moment Raven’s eyes opened and her line of sight fell on Damian’s instantly. Her hand lifted slowly to his direction; her eyes wet as her face slowly turned red from the lack of oxygen. A doctor had already punctured her lungs to assist her in breathing, but black blood was oozing out from it.

“Let me, the fuck go!” Damian yelled as he strongly shoved the nurse off of him. He was normally someone who didn’t do this, but seeing Raven’s face slowly contort to fear and resignation, he actually went against the nurse. He remembered when she was in ICU for the first few months he observed quietly from the distance, but he couldn’t now.

“Raven!” He called out as he knelt on the floor and held her right hand that she had stretched out. “I promise, I will not leave you. So, you have to fight this!”

She squeezes his hand in hers as best as she could as her eyes closed and a tear slipped from her eye.

“Sir—I’m sorry but you are being a distraction.” A bulky man approaches Damian, he lets go of Raven’s hand and put his hands up. And slowly left the room.

“She’s—I heard the subject has powers—”

“Patient.” A doctor cuts off the scientist.

Before Damian was shoved out of the room, he stole a glance of Raven, her hand was glowing a faint purple black hue. And it seemed that she could breathe.

“Sir—there seems to be something appearing—” And that was the last thing Damian heard before the door was shut close.

Two weeks later Raven was finally stable but still in a coma. They were fighting with her condition for those two weeks—cross referencing and analyzing data, finding and testing out new information. And everything has now calmed down. He was only allowed entry today after the stunt that he pulled.

Damian was sitting on his chair, holding her hand. He wore a white t-shirt with many creases. His hair a slightly better case compared to his shirt. And the outfit was complete with a plain pair of jeans and casual shoes. And to top it all off, his eyebags had become dark again.

”You really scared me. God, I forgot how afraid I was of losing you recently—you really know how to make someone remember, huh?” He mutters as he puts her hand against his forehead, he was shaking a bit, as he fought his tears. And he felt her hand twitch against his—and he choked as he looked at her face.

Her eyes were still close but for the first time, he actually felt her react. In two years, she finally moved. He smiled tightly and nodded his head. He brought her hand against his lips and softly kissed her hand.

“You reached out to me that night, didn’t you?” He put her hand against his cheek as he turns his head towards her again. “You have to wake up and clarify that to me.” And he hears her loudly inhale.

For the first time in months, he finally had hope that she would wake up. “I promise you; I will wait for you to wake up. This time, I will not break this promise.”

~.~.~.~.~

The door suddenly opens, with a panic stricken, Damian. He was unable to take off his outer coat and change into cleaner shoes because he heard a crash from generally where Raven’s room was located on the second floor.

“Raven!” He called out his fear practically at the base of his throat.

When he heard the loud crash, he feared for the worst. His eyes at first saw an empty bed, and his heart almost jumped out of his chest. The vase on her right bedside table with flowers, had shattered on the floor. He quickly searched for Raven, and exhaled deeply when he spotted her at the foot of her bed. She was holding onto her bed with great difficulty. Her eyes observed Damian wearily.

He approached her, thinking that maybe this was a dream.

“Raven.” He whispered when he was two feet away, her violet eyes did not show any recognition at seeing Damian. He picks her up and carries her in a princess carry, and despite not recognizing him at first, she wraps her arms around his neck.

“Damian.” She whispers and he squeezes her back. She rested her forehead on his shoulder, as he carried her back to her bed. He sets her down gently as he pulls away, she grabs his right hand.

“It feels so perfect.” She gently tells him, and Damian was startled by her words. A smile slowly forms and he found himself chuckling.

“I’ve been here almost every day, holding your hand. Maybe your hand molded into mine—” He shakes his head. "Or maybe the other way around.”

“I—my memory is kind of fuzzy,” Raven says as she lays back in bed. “But I know you, I remember you. I heard you so often. It became scary when you weren’t there.” Her eyes start to flutter, she seemed a little bit too tired. But she continued to hold his hand until she fully fell into slumber, to which her grip loosened.

Damian took the opportunity to call the doctors and scientist to inform them of her condition.

When she awoke again the doctors, scientists and Damian were talking.

~.~.~.~.~

A month after, Raven was already walking by herself inside her room. She started walking around the villa quite recently. But she has not been able to walk outside yet. She found that once the door to go outside the villa was opened, her knees would buckle. So, for the past month she was mostly roaming indoors.

She had found out that this was one of Bruce Wayne’s property, and Damian had asked for the property. Damian was someone who would never ask anything of anyone if he could do it himself, so it was surprising to everyone that Damian had asked something. And because of that Bruce granted Damian the property, if not for that, in the very least to give Damian some peace of mind.

She also found out that Damian did not spare any expense in her recuperation. And her situation was quite odd. The creature’s origin could not be quite narrowed down, thus its effects on her was up on the air. But that was where the doctors and scientists and all the tech was for, alien tech included. With the collective resources provided, they were able to make something to assist Raven’s condition.

“Raven, I think you should really try to get out.” Damian says as he walks in. He looked so happy seeing her, just standing by the window gazing out. She turned her head to smile at him.

He looked better—in fact the happiest and relaxed he had ever been for two years. His clothes were pressed well, it was a casual attire, and he had no hint of any kind of weariness. No more eyebags, and his eyes no longer looked so dead.

“If you go with me, I can try.” She responded, she had not seen him in two weeks due to his busy schedule, with the team and talking to her doctors and scientist. Him learning and relearning everything about her condition since she got attacked, and he also had family matters, he didn’t really have time to be with Raven recently. And she understood.

She kept herself busy by building her physical strength through walking within the walls of Damian’s villa. She also used the time to comb through her thoughts.

“Okay.” He agreed as he offered her his right hand and she accepts it with both her hands. Until now he couldn’t believe that she was awake.

“I really thought I was dreaming when you woke up a month ago.” He confesses again as he sighs and lead her to the door.

“I’m here. Everything is still a bit fuzzy. But I know you—I trust you. Your Damian.” Raven responds unhurriedly as she places a hand on his arm.

Fifteen minutes later, Damian came in with Raven in his arms weeping.

“I—I can’t… it—it…” And she wept.

“I’m sorry, we will take it step by step. I will be here if you ever want to try and go outside.” He comforts her as he places her on her bed. She nods as he wipes away her tears.

“I thought I was going to die—” She sobbed. “There was something I wanted to do… I don’t—” Another sob, “I don’t recall what.”

He holds her hands and then she suddenly froze on the spot. She looks at him in the eyes, and she blinks as the tears fall. “I didn’t want to leave you.”

And this time it was his time to freeze on the spot. Raven pulled her hands away from his, and she placed her fingertips on either side of his face.

“I was afraid that I didn’t have enough time with you. I wanted to know you more.” Her vision seems to go back to that night. “I wanted to be with you.” She absent-mindedly brushed her lips against his. And when the pressure registered in her brain, she pulled away, an apology at the tip of her tongue.

Raven was surprised to feel an even heavier pressure against her lips. And she kissed back and deepened the kiss. She noted how she was reacting very naturally over the situation, and how inexperience Damian was. And she pulled away.

“Is this your first kiss?” She asks him. And he looks away with a small blush on his face.

“It’s—I’m very inexperience with dating…” He admits, and she observes him as she wipes her tears.

“I’m assuming, I have dated before.”

“Yes, Garfield.” He responds blankly, and when the name came off Damian’s mouth, he saw her expression soften. His eye twitched as he looked away. He suddenly feels her hands against his, making him turn to look at her again.

“Gar… field…” She mutters, his hand clenching at the way she called his name. “Was he the only one I dated?” Damian nods in response.

“I see…” She said with furrowed brows. “My head is aching a bit. I think I should rest…” Raven lets go of Damian’s hands.

“Can we try going outside again tomorrow?” Damian was pulled out from his reverie with the inquiry, surprise in his eyes.

“Of course, I would love that.” She smiled at his response.

“Can you—” She looks at him hesitatingly. “Can you hold my hand when we do?”

He was even more shock to hear those words, and he smiled as he placed a hand on her cheek. “Of course, Raven.”

“I would like to date you, Damian.” Raven stares at Damian, who just pulled his hand away from her cheek and straightened his posture as he looks away.

“Your memory isn’t like what it was Raven, I think it’s too early to say that.” His response wasn’t something she enjoyed. But Raven pressed her lips together and did not push him.

~.~.~.~.~

The sun was setting and the white room was filled with an orange hue from the setting sun outside. Raven and Damian had just arrived from walking outside. This time around she was able to stay outside longer without having flashbacks of the night she got stabbed. It was great progress. But she always held Damian as if he was the only remaining lifeboat in an open, turbulent ocean.

Damian and Raven was continuing a pleasant conversation they had outside, when suddenly the door opened.

“Raven!” Garfield came in with such a relieved look on his face, his eyes expectant as he searches for her. Damian and Raven’s happy conversation grew stale as they turned their head to the door.

“Raven!” He called out again when his eyes landed on her. Raven remained in place. “Of course, you wouldn’t tell me she is awake!” Garfield adds with a glare to Damian, whose head was casted down.

“Tsk, Greyson.” He mutters, Greyson right behind Garfield but was hidden from Damian’s line of sight. Despite Damian’s head casted down, he took note of Raven’s reaction.

She was still, just standing in place, but Damian could tell, she was so close to running to Garfield and hugging him. And all Damian could do was squeeze his eyes shut, as he inhales softly while clenching his fists.

Seeing Garfield, Raven felt like her soul from inside her was vibrating with excitement. And yet, at the same time it felt as though a thin layer of frost blanketed her entire body, and it was enough to render her frozen. Despite her deep desire to hug Garfield, her feet were so heavily planted on the floor, that she didn’t even move an inch. Her breathing was shallow and unhurriedly soft, and she just focused on that.

The days had passed so pleasantly after Raven woke up that Damian had thought that he had a place in her heart. But seeing her like this, he knew—Garfield still outweigh him.

“Get out.” Raven says, to which Damian snapped his head to Raven’s direction, who had simply turned her back and walked to the window. “All of you.”

Damian wanted to say something, his fists curling and uncurling by his sides, but he saw her stiff figure with crossed arms as she stubbornly looked outside. He was the last to leave.

He comes back a few hours later, to see Raven sitting by the windowsill looking outside.

“He hasn’t left has he?” She whispers hoarsely not looking at who entered. Damian shook his head as he replied, even though she would not see it.

“His downstairs, hoping you’d at least see him.” He got no response, but she tilts her head.

“I didn’t see him leave.” She mutters vacantly.

“I’m here to convince you to eat dinner.” And Raven turned to look at him, a frown on her face.

“Okay,” She sighs. “But you are eating with me.”

Damian was startled hearing this, a second passes before the words sunk in.

“Alright.” He blinks at her.

“Here.” She adds and he tells her he that he would be back, as he leaves for a moment to get them their dinner.

When he arrives with food, they sat on a pub table that was added a little after Raven woke up. It could only sit two people, and it was made of some nice honey brown wood. The cushions of the chair red and its frame made of the same wood as the table. It was rather small for two people, but they made do.

Raven was vacantly playing with her food while Damian observes her with a frown. He had not yet scolded her for not eating, as he was giving her just a little more time.

With a sigh she says, “It’s odd, when I saw him, it felt like I just realized the world was a puzzle with missing pieces, and his presence just made all the missing pieces appear on it’s designated place. He was familiar, he was someone I knew—love, maybe even… but something didn’t sit well with me. I didn’t want to approach him. And I didn’t want him to approach me.”

~.~.~.~.~

It took Raven three days to be able to even meet Garfield. The sun was setting, and from Raven’s window, one could see Raven talking with Garfield. They were sitting on a bench facing the sunset, their backs facing the window in Raven’s room.

So, it was a given that the two did not see Damian observing them from the window. He did not look upset nor joyful with the scene he was seeing. But once Garfield placed a hand on Raven’s hand, and she tilted her head a bit towards Garfield, you could see Damian’s face slowly turn into unpleasantness.

When the minutes passed, and Garfield nor Raven had not pull away from one another, his face contorted to wanting to storm out from Raven’s room to staying still and just holding his breath—just hoping and wishing—that she had not chosen Garfield.

But the minutes continues to pass, and Garfield’s hand continued to rest on Raven’s hand. And Raven glances at him with a smile forming on her lips. And Damian couldn’t help but think, that despite Raven having a difficulty leaving the building with him, if it was Garfield with her—of course it would be easier for her to be outside with him.

And Raven started closing in on the space between her and Garfield, and Damian did not want to see that. So, he turned around quickly, and he stood with his back against them, as he flexes his fists, and sighed. He had hurried to see her; he had gone through the garage so he was unable to see them on the yard. Once he got into her room, and she wasn’t there, Damian absentmindedly walked to the window. That was when he saw her and Garfield together on a bench, looking like lovers.

He wondered how long he stood by the window looking at them. He closes his eyes and sighs again, by the end of the day it was never him. He walks to the door without looking back.

A few days later, Raven is pacing her room anxiously. She had not seen Damian in days, she worried he saw her and Garfield the other day and that was why he was nowhere to be seen. But she wanted to explain to him what he had seen wasn’t what he thought. She had to tell him.

And she could feel the panic go up onto her throat. She sat on her bed, facing the door. She had refused to step out of her room after she talked to Garfield—not without Damian. She could not find the strength to go out of her room after her chat with Garfield.

Raven buried her hands on her face as the tears started to stream from her eyes. All she could see under her close eyes, was the time—that night, when she reached out for Damian.

She recalled her desire to be with Damian, but right now she felt it so very intensely that she was afraid. She was so afraid that she has lost that chance. And the door opened, and she was up on her feet with wide eyes. Seeing that it was Damian, she sobbed as she ran towards Damian and tackled him with a hug.

He was startled and it took a moment for him to realize that she was hugging him so tightly. He gently returns her hug.

“I thought you wouldn’t come back. I was so scared.” She wept on the nook of his shoulder, her feet not even touching the floor.

“I’m sorry for worrying you.” He replied softly, and tightened his hold on her as he sets her down a bit so that she could touch the floor. They stood like that for a moment.

Raven eventually pulled away and tried to collect her bearings. She wipes her tears and looked at Damian in the eyes. On the other hand, he was wishing she hadn’t pulled away-- maybe that was the only time he could hold her like that. And she reaches for his hands. And it felt so right.

“When Gar came, and guided me outside, I couldn’t find the strength to step through the door. All I could think about was that I need you. I need you to hold my hand as I step outside. While that night kept flashing through my mind. But he held my hand—and it felt so familiar. And all my fears just vanished.” She looked down on their feet. “And I found myself outside—with him.” There was guilt in her face and on the tone of her voice. And Damian honestly did not want to hear what she had to say next. But she held his hands tighter, making him decide to just keep quiet. A small smile formed on her lips as tears fall and splatter on the floor.

“I forgot the time I was injured, till the time before he held my hands. It felt like I could breath again.” Damian’s eye twitched, he wondered what was her point. She suddenly flicked her head to look at him, and he was startled.

“He will always be someone that matters to me, we will always have history. I have loved him for nine years, we shared so many memories—so many firsts. But I do not want to be with him. I want to be with you. And I know I am asking a lot, but if all these doesn’t bother you—I would love it, if you would date me.” But she was greeted with silence. “I want you. I want to be with you.” She softly added, her confidence fading.

“I don’t mind.” He said so softly, but Raven didn’t hear it.

“If that is an issue for you, then I completely understand.” She continues on.

“I don’t mind.” He repeated.

“I know it’s been two years, but there must have been someone you became interested in. Or maybe you’ve even dated a bit. I know we don’t talk about it, but I get that—” She squeezes her eyes, her tone ready to cry.

“Raven, I want to be with you.” He cups her cheek and tilted her head towards him. She looks at him with the slightest hint of distrust. “I’ve always wanted to be with you—I waited for you.” He says, being able to say those words felt like such a relief to Damian. And the tears started falling from Raven’s eyes as the distrust was washed away.

“I almost gave up, I admit that.” He couldn’t bring himself to look at her anymore. She cups both of his cheeks.

“If I were in your place, even I would waver.” She tells him, trying to catch his dodging eyes. When she finally was able to lock her eyes with his, she adds. “Garfield will always have some meaning to me—his all I have known for nine years, even before sleeping for two years—my history with him is half of my life. I was afraid. I thought he was the only one who could possibly love someone like me—I was wrong. I was so, so wrong. I want my next memories and moments-- with you. And slowly those memories I had, and my history with him, will just be a fraction of my life. I want you. I want every possible milestone with you, Damian.”

He slowly nodded, and when Raven’s eyes registered the nod, he couldn’t help but smile and chuckle.

“I never thought this day would happen.” He leans in to rest his forehead against hers, and a soft smile formed on her lips. And they shared the moment in silence. After a while, Damian talks.

“I was afraid to ask, or open up about this, especially since you were still recuperating—and your memories is fuzzy. But who would have thought you would catch me by surprise and open up the topic yourself?” Raven took the opportunity to plant a kiss on his lips, and he conservatively kissed back to which she deepened the kiss. And she pulled away recalling Damian’s inexperience last time.

“We will take it step by step. I might still remember more about Garfield, and I might get a little confused. But remind me, that I choose you since that night.” She leans her forehead against his, eyes locked with one another. Damian’s eyes flickered with surprise and the confirmation that she chose him that night, made his eyes soften with the acknowledgement. He caresses her face with his thumb.

“I finally caught up to you.” He whispers, a giggle bubbling up on the base of Raven’s throat.

~.~.~.~.~

A few months later, the white almost vacant room was no longer white nor empty. Raven had flipped the room with Damian’s help and approval. Its walls were now a soft lilac color. The room’s furniture was either accented with white, glass or silver metals. And the ceiling was littered with little crystals, that once the lights were off, would illuminate like stars in different colors. Her sheets were navy blue and white.

“Raven, are you ready?” Damian’s voice came from outside her open door. She turned in her white fitted dress with the thinnest spaghetti straps. Her long hair that passed her waist was tied into a fishtail braid.

“Of course!” She replied happily, as she ran towards the door, and tackled Damian with a hug and giggled.

“Excited for our brunch?” He teases.

“Absolutely!” She replied without missing a second.

Later that night they were in her bedroom. Damian sitting on her bed and she was kneeling over his lap. Raven’s hair slowly unravelling from its braid. Their lips have been intertwined with one another for minutes now. He had one hand on her waist and the other on her thigh, a bit too afraid to rest it on her bum. While her hands were on his neck and on his chest.

Raven broke off the kiss, and started kissing his neck.

“If we’re going too fast, you can tell me.” She mutters in between kisses. But when she did not hear any response, she pulled away to look at him.

“I know Garfield and I had a lot of firsts together, if that bothers you…” Damian broke away from his dazed state and looked at her questioningly.

“I admit, at first it did,” His eyes follow his hand as in travels from her thigh to her waist which he caresses. “Thinking of how he knows how to please you…” He looks back at her conflicted eyes. “But that just means I have to learn how to please you my way. You two were together for so long—it would be a given that I’m not your first. That is alright. But you are mine.” He admits a small blush on his face. And she smiles as she kisses his eye and trailed kisses to his jawline. He was being brought back to his dazed state.

“I feel honored.” She whispers in between her kisses. And she playfully bit his ear after. Damian was startled and grabbed her butt and she gasped.

“Then I will take the lead then.” She whispered alluringly by his ear, as her hands travelled under his shirt. Her braid completely undone.

FIN.

(Or is it?)

Bonus Scene:

Garfield and Raven were outside, they had been talking for hours that the sun had finally began to set.

“You know, when I woke up, I couldn’t find myself to walk out my room. Eventually, I was able to overcome it. But I found that it was so difficult to step outside the villa. All I could see was that night and being stabbed, and the last person I saw.” Raven confesses and Garfield placed a hand on hers for comfort.

“But Damian was there, he guided me and stayed with me as we walk outside.” A small smile on her lips. “I always held him like I was in open water and he was the lifeboat. I was afraid of losing him. I mean, I still am. I still hold him so tightly, because I’m afraid that it would be my last chance with him. I thought I was going to die that night, Gar.”

“But when you offered your hand and held me, after you said you knew of my condition—my fear outside.” She glances at the open area. “I forgot how afraid I was of going outside. It was like my fears these few months were nothing but a phantom. You were always associated with love and happy memories with me. But you and I both know, Gar, we were imperfect. We were destructive. We had become unhappy together for a very long time.” And she glances at him fully.

“I want to say goodbye.” She finally said, and Garfield looked at her gently as Raven extended her arms to hug him. “I want to start a new romance—with Damian.” She whispers as they embrace one another.

“I wish you two happiness.” Garfield says as he pulls away.

“Yes, thank you.” She looks back at Damian’s villa. “I was so afraid I would lose him, I still do now, its why I always hold him tightly whenever we go outside.” She looks back at the sunset that was facing them.

“I held on because of him—I’m sure it was him, I could feel his hand and hear him every now and then, until all I knew was his presence.”

Alternate (timeline) Ending:

Damian was asleep on the table, and had woken up with a jolt, all teary eyed.

“Damian, what’s wrong?” Raven says as she approaches the table.

“I had a dream, you got injured and you were in a coma.” He replied. And he tells her what happened in his dream.

Alternate’s Alternate Ending: (Reciprocate timeline)

“I had a dream, you got injured and you were in a coma.” He replied as Raven sat down beside him. She gently places a hand on his as she smiles softly.

“Damian, that did happen.”

Finale: Reciprocate III: The After

#ANTIBBRAE #DAMIRAE #Damian Wayne #Raven #Robin x Raven #Teen Titans #Young Justice #alternate universe #beastboy x terra #unrequited love romance #AGE GAP of 3 years OLDER female YOUNGER male #love has many forms #demonbirds #PINING IS A SICKNESS #COMATOSE for 2 YEARS #Will wait till forever #alternate endings

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TWILIGHT Written by Melissa Rosenberg Based on the novel by Stephenie Meyer SHOOTING DRAFT February 11, 2008 FADE IN: 1 EXT. RAIN FOREST, OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WASHINGTON - DAWN Moss-draped. Shadow-drenched. Tortured tree trunks twist upward, reaching for rare sunlight. BELLA (V.O.) I'd never given much thought to how I would die.. Suddenly, every creature in the forest is deadly silent. Neither bird, beast nor insect make a noise. A predator is near. Then, in the distance, hear a tiny SNICK - a twig snapping. Abruptly, we're on the move. Fast. UNKNOWN POV - MOVING Trees start whipping past us at a dizzying speed, branches are dodged with preternatural agility. And we're speeding up, chasing something. It's exhilarating. Terrifying. Finally, up ahead, we get the first glimpse of our prey - - A DEER -- running for its life as it darts through this maze of a forest. It sprints forward, but we gain on it. Beyond the deer, SEE the forest's edge ahead, white sunlight glowing against the trees. The buck races for the light. We're just behind it, about to emerge from the shadowy darkness - - The deer LEAPS into the light in a high arc, hovering (suddenly SLOW MOTION) against the WHITE GLARE of the sun... then BAM! The deer abruptly plummets out of frame at an unnatural angle, leaving the WHITE GLARE to fill the screen. HOLD ON WHITENESS - BELLA (V.O.) But dying in the place of someone I love seems like a good way to go.. . -- Then into the WHITENESS steps the face of - 2 ISABELLA SWAN, 172 Eyes closed against the sunlight, absorbing its rays. Long, dark hair frames alabaster skin. She's a vulnerable, introverted, imperfect beauty. BELLA (V.O.) ... So I can't bring myself to regret the decision that brought me here to die... The background comes into focus as we realize we're now in - 2. EXT. SCOTTSDALE, AZ - DAY Bella stands at the end of a cul-de-sac on the desert's edge. The sun blazes behind her -- she bends down and carefully scoops a tiny BARREL CACTUS into a clay pot. BELLA (V.O.) ... The decision to leave home. She stares at the cactus in a state of reverie, until BLONDE #1 (O.S.) Bye, Bella! BELLA'S POV - McMansion ACROSS THE STREET Three tanned, athletic, blonde GIRLS hop into a convertible Mercedes. Their flawless, bought-and-paid for beauty contrasts with Bella's pale naturalness. They wave. BLONDE # Good luck at your new school! They ADLIB superficial good wishes, "Don't forget to write;" "We'll miss you." Bella waves back, sweetly, but halfheartedly as she steps off the curb. BELLA Have a good.. --and trips. When she rights herself, they're already gone. BELLA ... life. Clearly, not close friends. Bella's grown-up demeanor and innate intelligence become apparent as - - BELLA'S MOTHER, RENE, mid 30's --exits their house --it's low rent for this ritzy neighborhood. Rene is eclectic, scattered, anxious, more best friend than parent. She thrusts a cell phone at Bella. RENE It won't work again, baby. BELLA You put it on hold. RENE I did? BELLA Look. You also called Mexico. Rene pushes her playfully, they laugh. 3. RENE I'll figure it out. You gotta be able to reach me and Phil on the road - I love saying that - on the road. BELLA Very romantic. PHIL, 31, good looking with an athlete's body, exits the house, carrying Bella's three suitcases with ease. PHIL If you call crappy motels, backwater towns and ballpark hot dogs romantic. He puts his Phoenix Desert Dogs baseball hat on Rene's head with a kiss. Phil's love of Rene reassures Bella. Phil heads to the old station wagon to load the luggage, while Rene slips her arm through Bella's, clinging to her as they walk to car. RENE Now, you know if you change your mind, I'll race back here from wherever the game is. But Rene's strained expression tells us what a great sacrifice that would be. Bella forces a smile. BELLA I won't change my mind, mom. RENE You might. You've always hated Forks. BELLA It's not about Forks, it's about Dad. I mean, two weeks a year, we barely know each other. (off Rene's still worried look) Mom, I want to go. I'll be fine. But as Rene hugs Bella, we see the truth on BELLA'S FACE dread, doubt, regret. Off Bella, struggling to keep her facade up as she climbs into the back seat of the car.. . BEGIN TITLES OVER: 3 BELLA'S POV OUT THE CAR WINDOW - SCOTTSDALE 3 Bella, IPOD earbuds in her ears, gets a last glimpse of the sparkling malls, chic shoppers, manicured cactus gardens.. . PULL UP AND OUT OF THE CAR UNTIL WE'RE - - 4. 4 EXT. ABOVE SCOTTSDALE (AERIAL SHOT) - DAY 4 The McMansions get smaller as we SWEEP OVER the scorched landscape, baking under a hot sun. Beyond the housing developments SEE the rocky, dry desert, extending for miles.. . Rise HIGHER, and higher still, until finally we're suspended within the bright, perfect, blue SKY, with only an occasional cloud.. . Slowly, the clouds start getting more numerous, thicker, darker.. . until we're completely immersed in them... the sun disappearing. Finally, we EMERGE from the clouds to find below - 5 EXT. WASHINGTON STATE - OLYMPIC PENINSULA (AERIAL SHOT)- DAY5 Nothing but deep, dark, green forests for miles. SWEEP DOWN, finding the eerily dramatic Lake Crescent. Over it all hangs the mist from the ever-present cloudy grey sky. Everything is wet and green and drenched in shade.. . FIND A TWO LANE HIGHWAY along which drives A POLICE CRUISER... PUSH IN on the cruiser until we reach - THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW Bella looks out, taking in her gloomy new surroundings.. . END TITLES. 6 INT. POLICE CRUISER - DAY - WAITING AT LIGHT 6 Bella sits next to her uniformed father, police chief CHARLIE SWAN, 40's. Taciturn, introverted like Bella. Their strained silence contrasts Bella's relationship with her mother. Beat. CHARLIE Your hair's longer. BELLA I cut it since last time I saw you. CHARLIE Guess it grew out again. She just nods. Silence. CHARLIE How's your mom? BELLA Good. More silence. Yikes. They pass a SIGN: “The City Of Forks Welcomes You - Pop. 3246.” Bella sighs. 5. 7 EXT. FORKS, WASHINGTON - DAY 7 As the cruiser drives through, Bella takes in this logging town - every storefront has a wood carving. The Timber Museum's sign is two loggers sawing a stump. The POLICE STATION is a small wooden building across from City Hall.. . 8 EXT. CHARLIE'S HOUSE - DAY 8 The cruiser pulls up to the old two-story house. A woodshed full of firewood. There's a small boat in the garage, fishing gear, an old buoy. Bella climbs out... home. 9 INT. CHARLIE'S HOUSE - DAY 9 Bella and Charlie carry in her bags. The house isn't stylish (the only new thing here is a Flat Screen T.V.), but it's comfortable, lived-in. Lots of fishing memorabilia; photos of Charlie fishing with Quileute Indian BILLY BLACK. Handmade cards to “Daddy” and photos of Bella. She winces at herself, age 7, in a tutu, sitting stubbornly on the ground. CHARLIE I put Grandpa's old desk in your room. And I cleared some shelves in the bathroom. BELLA (grimacing) That's right. One bathroom. Bella's eye lands on a PHOTO of a much younger Charlie and Rene, on vacation, beaming with love. CHARLIE I'll just put these up in your room - BELLA I can do it - They both reach for the bags, bumping one another awkwardly. Bella backs off, letting Charlie carry the bags upstairs. 10 INT. BELLA'S ROOM - DAY 10 An antique rolltop desk sits in a corner. The room is filled with childhood remnants that have seen better days. As she unpacks her CD case, loneliness finally overwhelms her. She sits heavily on the edge of the bed, tears threatening.. . Then we hear a HONK outside. Bella runs across the hall and looks out the window to see - 11 OUTSIDE - A FADED RED TRUCK, CIRCA 1960 pulls up... 11 6. EXT. CHARLIE'S HOUSE - DAY Bella exits to find Charlie greeting the driver, JACOB BLACK, 16, Quileute Indian, amiable with long black hair, and hints of childish roundness in his face. The two of them help Jacob's father, BILLY BLACK (from the photos), into a wheelchair. CHARLIE Bella, you remember Billy Black. BILLY Glad you're finally here. Charlie hasn't shut up about it since you told him you were coming. CHARLIE Keep exaggerating, I'll wheel you down the hill. BILLY Right after I ram you in the ankles. Billy takes several rolls at Charlie, who dodges. Jacob shakes his head at their two fathers as he shyly approaches Bella. JACOB I'm Jacob. We made mud pies together when we were little kids. BELLA Yeah... I think I remember.. . (re: the dads) Are they always like this? JACOB It's getting worse with old age. Charlie then pats the hood of the truck, addressing Bella - CHARLIE So what do you think of your homecoming gift? BELLA No way. The truck is for me? CHARLIE Just bought it off Billy, here. JACOB I rebuilt the engine and - - BELLA It's perfect! 7. She beams. It's the first genuine smile we've seen on her. She rushes to the truck. Jacob eagerly joins her. JACOB Okay, so you gotta double pump the clutch when you shift, but - - He hands her the keys as she climbs in. BELLA Maybe I can give you a ride to school. JACOB I go to school on the reservation. BELLA Too bad. Would've been nice to know at least one person. As she starts up the truck we MATCH CUT - 12 EXT. FORKS HIGH SCHOOL - BELLA'S TRUCK - DAY 12 Loud, belching and turning heads as Bella parks, mortified. All eyes are on her as she climbs out of her truck and steps in a PUDDLE, soaking her sneakers. She slinks toward school, as we begin - 13 INT. HIGH SCHOOL - A SERIES OF SHOTS - DAY 13 -- Bella (never without her IPOD) makes her way thru kids who stare openly; a few brave ones say hi. They're all talking about her. This is her hell. -- Bella wanders the walkways looking for room numbers, lost. -- Constant stares at Bella, the outsider.. . SERIES ENDS when a sweet, nerd-cute, motor mouth boy, ERIC, appears in her path. ERIC You're Isabella Swan, the new girl. Hi. I'm Eric. The eyes and ears of this place. Anything you need. Tour guide, lunch date, shoulder to cry on. Bella just looks at him. Is he for real? BELLA I'm kind of the “suffer in silence” type. ERIC Good headline for your feature - I'm on the paper, and you're news, baby, front page. 8. BELLA I -- no, I'm not news -- I'm, seriously, not at all - ERIC Whoa, chillax. No feature. BELLA (relieved) Would you mind just pointing me toward Mr. Varner's class? He leads her away, enjoying the attentive stares, as she cringes from them - ERIC You've missed a lot of the semester, but I can hook you up - tutor, cliff notes, medical excuse.. . INT. GYM - DAY 14 The boys' basketball team runs drills on half the basketball court. A girls' volleyball game occupies the other half. Bella, in gym clothes, avoids the volleyball like it's radioactive. An energetic, athletic team captain, JESSICA, motivates the players. JESSICA Block it, Chloe! Yeah! Good attack! Unfortunately, the volleyball heads toward Bella. She closes her eyes and flails at it, SMACKING it. It flies off court - -- and beans a basketball player in the head. He is MIKE NEWTON, good looking, affable, with blond spiky hair. MIKE Ow! BELLA (hurries to him, embarrassed) Are you alright? I warned them not to make me play. MIKE It's only a flesh wound. Mike grins and she smiles, relieved. A BELL RINGS, class over. MIKE You're Isabella, right? 9. BELLA Just Bella. MIKE I'm Mike. Newton. He looks at her a second too long, clearly taken by her - - Suddenly, Jessica appears, stepping between them. Subtle, but possessive as she nudges Mike. JESSICA She's got a great spike, doesn't she? (to Bella) So, you're from Arizona, right? Aren't people supposed to be tan down there? BELLA That's why they kicked me out. Mike laughs, and because he does, Jessica does. Bella just feels uncomfortable with the attention.. . 15 INT. CAFETERIA - DAY 15 FOLLOW Bella, Mike and Jessica as they carry their trays to a table. Eric appears, and squishes into a seat next to Bella. ERIC Mike, you met my home girl Bella. MIKE Your home girl? JESSICA (to Bella) It's first grade all over again, and you're the shiny new toy. Bella smiles awkwardly. Suddenly, a FLASHBULB blinds Bella. She looks up at the photographer, ANGELA, Jessica's sweet, low key, insecure friend. ANGELA Sorry, needed a candid for the feature - ERIC Feature's dead, Angela. Don't bring it up again. (to Bella) I got your back, baby. 10. ANGELA (disappointed) Guess we'll just run another editorial on teen drinking. BELLA Sorry. There's always eating disorders, or Speedo padding on the swim team - ANGELA -- Wait, that's a good one.. . But Bella's attention is now riveted to - BELLA'S POV - THE DOUBLE DOORS OF THE CAFETERIA They swing open as four of the most astounding people Bella's ever seen enter (IN SLOW MOTION): THE CULLENS. Two guys, two girls, all chalky pale, purplish shadows under their eyes.. . and all devastatingly beautiful. They move through the room with effortless grace, and take a seat at a table furthest from Bella's. Bella leans over to Jessica and Angela. BELLA Who are they? ANGELA The Cullens. Jessica leans in, swinging into gossip mode. JESSICA Doctor and Mrs. Cullen's foster kids. They all moved down here from Alaska two years ago. ANGELA They kinda keep to themselves. JESSICA Because they're all together. Like, together together. The blonde girl, Rosalie, and the big dark-haired guy, Emmett.. . ON ROSALIE, 18, long blonde hair, model beautiful, knows it. Alongside her is EMMETT, 17, big, brawny, like a weight lifter, but a playful glint in his eye. JESSICA ... they're a thing. I'm not even sure that's legal. 11. ANGELA Jess, they're not actually related. JESSICA But they live together. And the little dark haired girl, Alice, she's really weird.. . ON ALICE, 17, pixie-like, rail thin, light on her feet with short, black hair going in every direction. She hovers over, JASPER, 18, honey-blond hair, tall, lean, slightly tortured. JESSICA ... she's with Jasper, the blonde who looks like he's in pain. I mean, Dr. Cullen's like this foster dad slash match maker. ANGELA Maybe he'll adopt me. Bella laughs, liking her... then sees the last Cullen to enter - EDWARD, 17. Lanky, with untidy, bronze colored hair. He seems inwardly turned, mysterious. More boyish than the others. But the most striking of all. Bella can't take her eyes off him. BELLA Who's he? JESSICA That's Edward Cullen. Suddenly, Edward looks over, as if he heard Jessica from across the room. His eyes meet Bella's. But he seems.. . confused. Bella quickly looks away. JESSICA He's totally gorgeous, obviously. But apparently, no one here is good enough for him. Like I care. (she obviously does) Anyway, don't waste your time. BELLA I wasn't planning on it. But Bella can't help but peek at Edward again. He's staring at her outright now, with a slightly frustrated expression that unnerves Bella. She hides behind her hair. 16 INT. BIOLOGY CLASS - DAY 16 A room of black-topped lab tables. Two to a table. Bella and Mike enter. 12. Mike takes his seat and points her toward MR. MOLINA, Birkenstocked, enthusiastic science teacher at the head of the class. As Bella moves to the teacher with her class slip, she notes - EDWARD -- his back to her, sitting at a front table. But as she passes Edward's table.. . SLOW MOTION -- the breeze she creates when she passes lifts a piece of paper next to Edward. We're still on his back as he inhales --then abruptly stiffens. He grabs onto the edge of the table, crumbling it slightly. No one notices. Mr. Molina takes Bella's class slip. MR. MOLINA Welcome, Ms. Swan. Follow along as best you can till you get caught up. Mr. Molina gestures to the only empty seat... next to Edward. But as Bella approaches, she's taken aback when - ON EDWARD'S FACE -he slowly looks up at her, his eyes coal black with repulsion, fury. If looks could literally kill.. . Bella knocks someone's book bag off their chair. Replaces it, mumbling an apology. Then slinks reluctantly into her seat. Edward jerks away from her to the extreme edge of his chair. MR. MOLINA (to the class, animated) Today we'll be observing the behavior of planaria, a.k.a flatworms. As Mr. Molina distributes two petri dishes per table - MR. MOLINA We're going to cut them in half, then watch them regenerate into two separate worms.. . Bella glances at Edward who averts his face, holding a hand over his nose as if he smells something horrible. Bella, shrinking, subtly sniffs the air, smells nothing. Then she sniffs her hair. It's fine. She's perplexed. Mr. Molina hands Edward two petri dishes. MR. MOLINA ... Yes, folks, zombie worms! They just won't die. Edward takes a dish, then slides the second one across the table to Bella as if she had Ebola. She takes her dish, and makes a dark curtain of her hair between them. 13. She can see EDWARD'S HANDS under the table. Clenched into fists. Off Bella, utterly baffled, and deeply insecure.. . 17 INT. HIGH SCHOOL - HALLWAY - DAY 17 -- as the BELL RINGS, Edward bolts out the door. Other kids and Bella exit a moment later. Bella looks down the hall; he's gone. 18 INT. ADMINISTRATION OFFICE - DAY 18 Bella enters, but nearly turns and leaves when she sees - EDWARD sweet-talking the enchanted female ADMINISTRATOR, 40's. He doesn't see Bella enter. EDWARD There must be something open sixth period. Physics? Biochem? ADMINISTRATOR No, every class is full. I'm afraid you'll have to stay in biology. I'm so sorry. Bella blanches. The Administrator sees her and gestures for her to wait a minute. But Edward suddenly straightens as if sensing Bella. He slowly turns to glare at her with piercing, hate-filled eyes. She backs to the wall, hugging herself, suddenly chilled... with fear. EDWARD (to the Administrator) I'll just... endure it. He strides out the door. Off Bella.. . 19 EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - DAY 19 Edward climbs into a shiny new silver Volvo with the Cullens, while Bella, upset, hurries to her truck. The many eyes still watching her add insult to injury. ... Finally, she reaches - 20 INT. BELLA'S TRUCK (CONTINUOUS) 20 -- and closes the door. Her eyes well... but she fights it, getting mad. BELLA Jerk. As she tries to start the car, choking the engine, we begin to hear a MAN'S RAGGED, FRIGHTENED BREATH - SMASH TO: 14. 21 ECU ON A SECURITY GUARD - IN THE DARKNESS 21 Extremely tight on his terrified FACE, sweat dripping, breathing in short gasps, trying desperately not to make a sound. INCLUDE - 22 INT. GRISHAM MILL - LATE AFTERNOON 22 --He's crouched in a dark corner. But then he sees a SHADOW move blindingly fast past him. He jerks around, then another SHADOW flies past, too fast to follow. He BOLTS! He runs up a flight of stairs, harsh lights from the exterior of the mill striating him. He moves as fast as humanly possible - UNKNOWN POV - ON THE SECURITY GUARD FROM SEVERAL FLOORS BELOW UNKNOWN POV charges after him at an INHUMAN SPEED through this maze of pillars and walkways. We dodge skull-crushing beams, LEAP from one floor up to the next, up ladders, scaffolding, beams, up, and up, getting closer and closer to - THE SECURITY GUARD -- who desperately runs for his life, looking over his shoulder with terror. UNKNOWN POV is closing in on him, but then he BOLTS out a door - 23 EXT. GRISHAM MILL (CONTINUOUS) - LATE AFTERNOON 23 -- The guard BURSTS OUT onto a stair landing, but loses his footing and TRIPS, breaking through the rail and pitching over the side, into the air - -- and stops, hovering mid-air, a yard from the landing. A HAND grips his shirt, then YANKS him out of the air and out of frame with incredible strength. His guttural SCREAM is choked short as BLOOD SPRAYS THE LANDING.. . 24 INT. FORKS COFFEE SHOP - LATE AFTERNOON 24 ON A TOP SIRLOIN STEAK as it is set in front of Charlie. He shares a table with Bella. INCLUDE the waitress, CORA, 30's. She beams at Bella as she sets a plate of cod in front of her. Several LOGGERS at the counter offer Bella welcoming smiles. She shrinks in her seat at the attention. Charlie's oblivious. CORA Can't get over how grown up you are. And so gorgeous. Bella glances at Charlie, who keeps his eyes on his steak. A bearded, hippy logger, WAYLON FORGE, 50, appears behind Cora, leaning over her shoulder to Bella - 15. WAYLON ‘Member me, honey? I was Santa one year. CHARLIE Waylon, she hasn't had a Christmas here since she was four. WAYLON Bet I made an impression, though. CHARLIE You always do. CORA Let the girl eat her cod, Waylon. (to Bella) When you're done, I'll bring your favorite - berry cobbler. Remember? Your dad still has it. Every Thursday. BELLA (doesn't remember at all) That'd be great, thank you. Cora shoos Waylon away. Left alone now, Charlie and Bella both reach for the salt, knock hands. Charlie goes for the ketchup instead. Silence as they eat. A burst of LAUGHTER from a nearby happy FAMILY only serves to emphasize their discomfort. Bella tries to bridge the gap. BELLA So... you eat here every night? CHARLIE Easier than washing dishes. BELLA I can cook. He looks up, as if confused by the concept. BELLA I do the cooking at home - in Phoenix. Mom's not great in the kitchen. CHARLIE I remember.. . They both laugh -- recalling an especially bad dinner. CHARLIE How was school? Meet anyone? 16. BELLA A few people... Do you know the Cullen family? CHARLIE (looks up sharply) Are people talking about them again? BELLA No... well, a little. CHARLIE Just ‘cause they're newcomers. We're lucky to have a surgeon like Dr. Cullen at our podunk hospital. Lucky his wife wanted to live in a small town. Lucky his kids aren't like a lot of the hell-raisers around here. BELLA ... Okay. CHARLIE I just don't like narrow mindedness. And he returns to his food. Silence. 25 INT. BELLA'S ROOM - NIGHT 25 Bella looks out at the fog as she talks on the phone. RENE (O.S. ) If spring training goes well, we could be living in Florida permanently. TELEPHONE OPERATOR (O.S.) Please insert 25 cents to continue. BELLA Mom, where's your cell? INTERCUT WITH: 26 EXT. GAS STATION/GARAGE - NIGHT 26 Rene talks on a pay phone, her dead cell phone in her hand. In the b.g., Phil and an Attendant work on the Subaru engine. RENE Ok, I didn't lose my power cord. It ran away. Screaming. I literally repel technology now. 17. Bella smiles, missing her mom. Rene feeds the phone quarters. RENE Now, tell me more about your school, baby. What are the kids like? Are there any cute guys? Are they being nice to you? BELLA (a beat, lying) They've all been really.. . welcoming. PUSH IN ON BELLA'S FACE, getting mad all over again as.. . FLASH POP TO -EDWARD'S FACE, HIS COAL BLACK EYES, THE FURY.. . SMASH TO: 27 EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - MORNING (BEFORE SCHOOL) 27 ON BELLA, sitting atop a table, an open book in her lap. But her eyes are on the arriving kids, and the parking lot as they pull in. She's waiting for Edward. Jessica, Angela, Mike and Eric kick around a soccerball nearby. They wave Bella to join them but she smiles, declining... and returns to watching for Edward. Her face tells us she's ready for a confrontation. 28 INT. BIOLOGY CLASS - SAME DAY 28 Bella strides in... but stops, surprised to find her lab table empty. Off Bella, frustrated.. . BEGIN A SERIES OF SCENES OVER SEVERAL DAYS: 29 INT. CAFETERIA - DIFFERENT DAY 29 Bella sits with Jessica and Angela who watch a YouTube video on their phone. Bella gives it a cursory look, but is focused on the Cullen table --only four of them. Edward's seat is empty.. . 30 INT. GIRLS BATHROOM - DIFFERENT DAY 30 Bella washes her hands, then looks up at the mirror, startled to find Rosalie and Alice behind her. They study Bella, Rosalie with chillingly cold eyes, Alice with curiosity. Bella, uneasy, hurries out. 31 EXT. FORKS HIGH SCHOOL - DIFFERENT DAY 31 Bella exits with Angela, Mike, Jessica and Eric, becoming a part of this circle. 18. She now only glances at Rosalie's car, a red M3 BMW, as it drives past, noting, again, four Cullens, no Edward. Bella returns to her friends, finally forgetting about him.. . SERIES OF SCENES ENDS as we go to - 32 INT. CHARLIE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - MORNING 32 It's neater, rearranged more attractively. Clearly, Bella's given it her touch. She sweeps through, folding Charlie's fleece jacket, straightening up. She grabs her book bag - BELLA Dad, I'm heading out. 33 EXT. CHARLIE'S HOUSE (CONTINUOUS) - MORNING 33 ON BELLA'S FACE as she opens the door and stops, dismay filling her. It's pouring down rain --the yard is full of puddles, some frozen. Bella shivers, wraps her coat tight. BELLA Great. WHIP PAN to the driveway as Charlie pulls in -driving her truck. BELLA Dad, I can drive myself to school. As she walks down the steps, she doesn't realize, something's watching her - - UNKNOWN POV - FROM THE TREES --tracking Bella's every move as she slips and falls on a patch of ice - - BACK ON BELLA - fallen on her ass. Charlie climbs out of the truck, helps her up. CHARLIE You okay, Bells? BELLA Ice doesn't help the uncoordinated. CHARLIE That's why I got you new tires. She looks over at the truck -- yep, four new tires. CHARLIE The other ones were nearly bald. 19. BELLA You got me new tires. No one's ever done that before. Charlie looks at her, confused. BELLA I mean... nothing. He clearly doesn't get it as heads toward his Cruiser. CHARLIE I'll be late for dinner. I'm heading down to Mason County. A security guard at the Grisham Mill got killed by some kind of animal.. . UNKNOWN POV - ON BELLA AND CHARLIE, as he speaks.. . BELLA An animal? CHARLIE You're not in Phoenix any more, honey. They've been hunting it for a week with no luck. Thought I'd lend a hand. BELLA Be careful. CHARLIE Always am. BACK ON BELLA.. . BELLA And thank you. For the tires. He sees emotion in her eyes. Doesn't understand it, but nods, heads inside. Bella looks at the tires again, oddly moved.. . 34 OMITTED 34 35 INT. BIOLOGY CLASS/HALLWAY - DAY 35 Rain beats on the roof as Eric walks Bella into class. She brushes water off her coat as he chats her up. ERIC ... and yeah, prom committee is a chick thing, but I gotta cover it for the paper anyway, and they need a guy to help choose the music - - So I need your play list - 20. Bella is about to respond when Mike comes up behind her. MIKE Come on, Arizona. Give it up for the rain. And he shakes his wet baseball cap onto Bella's head. BELLA Terrific. She heads toward her seat, brushing off her hair. But she freezes when she sees --Edward. Bella straightens, girding herself. Then strides to the table, and confidently drops her books down, ready to address him. But he looks up at her - EDWARD Hello. Bella stops. Stunned. He is direct, precise, as if every word is an effort for him. EDWARD I didn't have a chance to introduce myself last week. My name is Edward Cullen. She's too shocked that he's talking to her to answer. EDWARD (prompting) ... You're Bella. BELLA I'm... yes. Feeling like an idiot, she quickly sits. He abruptly moves to the extreme edge of his seat. She's even more baffled now. MR. MOLINA (to the class) Onion root tip cells! That's what's on your slides. Separate and label them into the phases of mitosis. The first partners to get it right, win... the golden onion! He excitedly holds up a spray painted onion. Everyone just looks at him. He's disappointed by their apathy. MR. MOLINA Come on, people. Tick tock. 21. Everyone sets to work. Edward pushes the microscope to Bella, keeping his distance, his voice controlled. EDWARD Ladies first. She grabs the microscope defensively and snaps the first slide in, adjusting the lens. She's curt as she addresses him. BELLA You've been gone. EDWARD Out of town. For personal reasons. She glances at him but he just leans far away, his face tight. She looks back into the microscope. BELLA Prophase. She begins to remove the slide. EDWARD May I look? She slides him the microscope. He glances through the lens. EDWARD Prophase. BELLA (muttering) Like I said. He writes it on the worksheet. Then he takes a breath, as if trying calm himself, and turns to her with enormous effort. EDWARD Enjoying the rain? BELLA Seriously? You're asking me about the weather? EDWARD It appears. BELLA No. I don't like the cold. Or the wet. Or the gray. Or parkas. Or turtle necks. Is that a smile playing on his lips? For the first time, he seems more intrigued than agonized. He studies her. She still can't tell if he despises her or not. It's infuriating. 22. BELLA What? He shakes his head and turns to the microscope, switching out the slides. She looks at him. And keeps looking.. . BELLA'S POV - ECU ON EDWARD'S FACE His cheekbones, his lips. So perfect, like a sculpture.. . EDWARD Anaphase. She snaps out of it. Covers with a dry look. BELLA May I? (she looks through the lens) Anaphase. EDWARD Like I said. She glances at him, and this time sees a smirk. She simply holds out her hand for another slide. EDWARD (handing her the slide) If you hate cold and rain, why move to the wettest place in the continental U.S. BELLA It's complicated. EDWARD I think I can keep up. He actually seems interested. She looks into the microscope as - BELLA My mother remarried. EDWARD Very complex. So you don't like him. BELLA Phil is fine. Young for her, but nice enough. (re: the slide) Interphase. CUT ON THE SCHOOL BELL: 23. 36 INT. HIGH SCHOOL - HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER 36 Bella exits holding the golden onion, and practically runs into Edward, who's directly in front of her. EDWARD Why didn't you stay with your mom and stepdad? He waits for her answer, studying her, as if trying to decipher her. She's drawn in by his attention, oddly compelled. BELLA Alright, Phil's a minor league baseball player, so he travels a lot. My mother stayed home with me but it made her unhappy. So I decided to spend time with my father. EDWARD But now you're unhappy. BELLA No... I -- I just.. . Bella turns away -- embarrassed, vulnerable. EDWARD I'm just trying to figure you out. You're very hard to read. He's clearly trying to read her now... their eyes meet again. But now she looks more closely at him. BELLA Did you get contacts? EDWARD ... no. BELLA Your eyes were black before, now they're this golden brown or - EDWARD It's just the fluorescents. He abruptly turns and walks away. As he does, Bella notes - - HIS HANDS clenched into tight fists. Off Bella, utterly bewildered, both intrigued and frustrated. 37 EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - PARKING LOT - DAY 37 The rain has stopped, but the parking lot is full of water and patches of black ice. 24. Shivering, Bella heads for her truck, carrying the onion, carefully navigating the icy puddles. As she reaches her truck, she looks across the lot EDWARD stands by his silver Volvo with his siblings, about to climb in. A moment as their eyes meet... then he looks toward the sound of a high pitched SCREECH, that quickly grows LOUDER.. . Bella turns to see a VAN -- skidding on the ice, careening out of control, heading directly for her. TIME suddenly fractures, compressing to stillness, then exploding in bursts of speed as - -- THE FACES OF THE STUDENTS - in shock, seeing what's coming. --THE VAN DRIVER'S FACE -TYLER, desperately trying to gain control, then shielding his face. -- EDWARD'S FACE - looking at Bella with horror.. . THE VAN is about to hit Bella's truck, with her standing in between, when suddenly, something knocks Bella down, pinning her to the ground. She looks up - Edward is on top of her. The world around them FREEZES -- in this fraction of a second, their proximity is overwhelming, electrifying. He breathes in her scent, she takes in his flawless face.. . Abruptly, we BLAST BACK TO SPEED as several things happen so quickly, we, and Bella, are unsure what's going on: -- THE VAN SMASHES into the back of Bella's truck - -- Then SPINS around, once again careening toward her and Edward, then suddenly - --EDWARD'S HANDS are creating a deep dent in the side of the van's body as it shudders to a stop, a foot from Bella. -- Edward literally pushes the van away. Then silence. A long beat, void of any sound, as Bella looks at Edward, trying to absorb what just happened. Edward's fear for her is still alive on his face. She starts to speak but.. . THE SCREAMING begins, yelling, calls for help. People leap to Tyler's aid, run to Bella and Edward. Bella SEES the onion on the ground, smashed as she would have been. As everyone sweeps in, Edward moves into the b.g. Mike and Eric run to Bella - MIKE ERIC Are you okay!? Are you What happened!? Did anyone hurt?! see what happened? ! Amid the chaos, Bella sees EDWARD'S SIBLINGS looking at Edward. But they show no hint of concern for his safety. Instead, they look at him with disapproval... and fury. 38 INT. HOSPITAL - TREATMENT AREA - DAY 38 The double doors BURST open as Charlie runs in, face white with terror. He spots - 25. BELLA - sitting on a gurney, the E.R. DOCTOR looking into her eyes with a pen light. On the next gurney over, Tyler, the van's driver, lies with a mild head wound. Charlie rushes up. CHARLIE Bells. Are you alright? BELLA I'm fine, dad. Calm down. TYLER I'm so sorry, Bella. I tried to stop. BELLA It's okay, Tyler. CHARLIE It sure as hell is not okay. BELLA Dad, it's not his fault- CHARLIE (stern, cutting her off) We nearly lost you. BELLA But you didn't. He'd hug her, if that was who he, or who she was. Instead, he glares at Tyler. CHARLIE You can kiss your license goodbye. DR. CULLEN (O.S. ) I heard the Chief's daughter was here. They look up as DR. CARLISLE CULLEN, mid 30's, approaches, blond, movie star handsome. His face is kind, but pale, tired. CHARLIE Good. Dr. Cullen. DR. CULLEN (to E.R. Doctor) I've got this one, Jackie. The E.R. Doctor hands Dr. Cullen the chart, exits. Dr. Cullen reviews her chart, then feels the back of her head as.. . 26. DR. CULLEN You have a nice knot growing back there, but your x-rays show no indication of concussion. TYLER I'm so sorry, Bella. I'm really - Charlie abruptly pulls the curtain between them. BELLA It would have been a lot worse if Edward hadn't knocked me out of the way. CHARLIE Edward? Your boy? Dr. Cullen quickly looks back at the chart. Bella's intuition flickers, sensing he knows something. She presses. BELLA It was amazing he got to me so fast. He was nowhere near me. DR. CULLEN (smiles) As long as you're safe. INT. HOSPITAL - RECEPTION - DAY 39 Charlie and Bella exit the treatment area. CHARLIE I just have to sign some paperwork. You better call your mom. BELLA You told her?! She's probably freaking. He shrugs and hurries off. Bella shakes her head, pulls out her cell phone. Is about to dial, but then sees down the hall.. . BELLA'S POV - EDWARD, ROSALIE, AND DR. CULLEN Rosalie is clearly furious at Edward who stands his ground. Dr. Cullen plays intermediary. ROSALIE This isn't just about you, it's about all of us - - Dr. Cullen sees Bella and stops Rosalie - �� DR. CULLEN Let's take this in my office. 27. Rosalie glares at Edward as she goes off with Dr. Cullen. Edward adopts a nonchalant air as Bella approaches, determined. BELLA Can I talk to you for a moment? (off his nod) How did you get over to me so quickly? EDWARD I was standing right next to you. BELLA You were next to your car, across the lot. He steps closer to her. His expression turns icy hard. EDWARD No, I wasn't. She won't be bullied. Steps closer to him. BELLA Yes. You were. EDWARD You're confused. You hit your head. BELLA I know what I saw. EDWARD And what, exactly, was that? BELLA You stopped that van. You pushed it away. EDWARD No one will believe that. BELLA I wasn't planning to tell anyone. This registers with Edward. They're inches from each other, the tension thick. BELLA I just want to know the truth. EDWARD Can't you just thank me and get over it? BELLA Thank you. 28. A long beat as they look at each other, angry, defensive... and without a doubt, attracted. EDWARD You're not going to let it go, are you? BELLA No. EDWARD (turns, walks away) Then I hope you enjoy disappointment. BELLA Why did you even bother? He stops, a beat. Looks back at her, unexpectedly vulnerable. EDWARD ... I don't know. And he keeps walking. Off Bella, confused, frustratingly attracted, and absolutely determined to find out the truth. BELLA (V.O. ) That was the first night I dreamed of Edward Cullen.. . 40 DREAM SEQUENCE - UNDERWATER 40 Bella swims, white skin aglow, hair floating weightlessly, sensually... suddenly, something BLASTS past her. She spins. It's gone. Something BLASTS behind her. She spins again - to find herself face to face with - EDWARD ... Bella reaches for him, but he abruptly springs backward, just out of reach. SMASH TO: 41 INT. BELLA'S ROOM - ON BELLA - NIGHT 41 -as she bolts up awake. In that split second, in the darkness, she SEES Edward, watching her. She SNAPS on the light -- the room is empty. Was she dreaming? 42 EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - PARKING LOT - DAY 42 Bella stands in the exact spot of the accident. Behind her on the lawn, several CLASSES congregate, gathering for a field trip. Mr. Molina is in charge. MR. MOLINA Make sure I get your permission slips. 29. PUSH IN ON BELLA'S FACE staring at the skid marks on the pavement.. . FLASH POP TO THE VAN REELING RIGHT FOR HER - FLASH POP TO EDWARD'S HANDS STOPPING THE VAN - FLASH POP TO EDWARD ON TOP OF HER, THE PROXIMITY, ELECTRICITY - BACK ON BELLA, blushing at the memory. Then she SEES Edward arrive with Alice and Jasper. She watches him, barely noticing as Mike trots up to her - - MIKE (ala Dr. Frankenstein) Look! You're moving. You're ALIVE! BELLA ... Yeah, false alarm.. . MIKE Actually, I'm glad you're not dead ‘cause - well, that would suck, plus I wanted to ask you - even though it's, like, a month away.. . But Bella's distracted by Edward. Mike's VOICE DIPS as.. . BELLA'S POV - ACROSS THE LAWN Edward, head down, is in quiet conference with Jasper and Alice. Abruptly, he looks up, as if listening to her and Mike, though he's too far away to hear. Bella quickly refocuses on Mike. MIKE So what do you think? (off her blank look) You want to go? To prom. With me. BELLA (realizing, horrified) Prom. As in dance. I, uh - have to go -somewhere. To Jacksonville. Yeah. MIKE You can't go another weekend? BELLA Non-refundable ticket. Maybe you should ask Jessica. Mike follows Bella's eyes way across the lawn to Jessica. She smiles at them -- Suddenly Edward crosses in front of Jessica. He seems to be smirking.. . 30. 43 INT. COMMUNITY COLLEGE GREENHOUSE - FIELD TRIP - DAY 43 Mr. Molina and a Tour Guide lead several dozen kids through the greenhouse. Bella keeps an eye on Edward who's up ahead with Alice and Jasper. Mr. Molina demonstrates the compost machine as the students mess around. MR. MOLINA ...c'mon, Eric, stuff that compost down deep... that's it.. . (the machine gurgles and spins) ... now Tyler, take a big steaming cup of “compost tea.” This is recycling at its most basic level - - hey, don't drink that! When Bella sees Edward pause by an ancient staghorn fern, alone, she takes a breath for courage and strides up to him. BELLA Hello, Edward. He glances at her, merely nodding. We notice his FISTS clench, and unclench. Bella looks at him, appalled by his rudeness. BELLA Really? No response. She turns, starts to walk away. EDWARD What's in Jacksonville? She turns back to him. BELLA How did you know about that? EDWARD You didn't answer my question. BELLA You haven't answered any of mine. You won't even say hello. EDWARD Hello. BELLA And how did you stop that van? EDWARD Adrenaline rush. Very common. Google it. 31. BELLA (not buying it) Floridians. That's what's in Jacksonville. She turns to storm off but she stumbles over the irrigation hose. Edward steadies her, catching her scent -- still so powerful... He clenches his jaw. EDWARD It helps if you actually watch where you put your feet. Insulted, she keeps moving. He keeps pace, serious now. EDWARD I know I've been rude, but it's for the best. She just looks at him like he's crazy. He walks away as Jessica suddenly rushes up. JESSICA Guess who just asked me to prom! Bella smiles. JESSICA I totally thought Mike was going to ask you, Bella. Is it gonna be weird? BELLA No way. Zero weirdness. You guys are great together. JESSICA I know, right? Giddy, Jessica rushes to catch up with Angela. Bella heads out the door that leads to - EXT. COMMUNITY COLLEGE GREENHOUSE - THE BUSES (CONTINUOUS)44 --where everyone's looking at the COMPOST “WORM BOX”, grossing each other out with the slimy creatures. As Bella backs away, Edward steps up. EDWARD Bella, it would be better if we weren't friends. BELLA (wounded) Too bad you didn't figure that out earlier. (MORE) 32. BELLA (cont'd) You could have let the van crush me and saved yourself all this regret. EDWARD (snapping, angry) You think I regret saving you? BELLA I know you do. EDWARD (furious) You don't know anything. His harshness stings her. Suddenly, Alice appears at Edward's side. She eyes Bella with curiosity. ALICE The bus is leaving. (to Bella) Hi. Will you be riding with us? EDWARD No. Our bus is full. He purposefully walks Alice away. But he glances back at Bella with, is that... remorse? She doesn't see it. INT. CHARLIE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - EVENING 45 Bella enters, throws down her book bag and coat, still angry. She starts upstairs but Charlie enters from the kitchen. CHARLIE Your mother called. Again. BELLA Your fault, for telling her about the accident. CHARLIE She always did know how to worry. (hint of sadness) But... she's changed, too. She seems happy. Phil sounds all right. BELLA He is. She continues upstairs, glancing at her parents' WEDDING PHOTO. Off Bella's FACE, we MATCH CUT - - 33. 46 INT. HIGH SCHOOL - CAFETERIA - ON BELLA'S FACE - DAY 46 -- as she pushes through the doors. She glances over at the CULLEN TABLE, Edward with his siblings. He doesn't look at her. Anger and determination set in again as Bella joins Eric, Jessica, Mike and Angela. She drops her book bag on a seat - ERIC La Push, baby. You in? BELLA Should I know what that means? MIKE La Push beach, down on the Quileute rez. We're all going after school. Big swell coming in. ERIC And I don't just surf the internet. JESSICA Eric, you stood up once. On a foam board. ANGELA There's whale watching, too. Come with. ERIC La Push, baby. BELLA I'll go if you stop saying that. 47 THE SALAD BAR STATION - MINUTES LATER 47 Bella artfully designs an architectural salad. As she reaches for an APPLE, Edward is suddenly next to her - EDWARD (charmed) Edible art.. . Startled, she fumbles and drops the apple -- Edward catches it with his foot, hackeysack style, then bounces it back into his hand, the red of the apple, stark against his pale skin. He presents it to her with small smile. BELLA Thanks... but your mood swings are giving me whiplash. EDWARD I said it would be better if we weren't friends, not that I didn't want to be. 34. BELLA What does that even mean? EDWARD It means if you were smart, you'd avoid me. Edward inadvertently glances at his four inhumanly beautiful siblings, who wait for him, expectantly, at their table. She notes her own, very human friends monitoring this conversation from their table. Mike glowers jealously. BELLA So let's say, for argument's sake, that I'm not smart. Would you talk to me? Tell me the truth? EDWARD Probably not. I'd rather hear your theories. BELLA Okay... how ‘bout radioactive spiders? Kryptonite? EDWARD (levels his gaze, challenging) You're talking about superheroes. What if I'm not a hero? What if I'm a bad guy? BELLA (beat, looking closer at him) No. I don't believe that. You're not bad. You can be a jerk, but it's like this... mask. To keep people away. He's taken aback by her honesty, her insight, drawn in by her.. . BELLA Look, why don't we just - hang out. Like... come to the beach with us. It'll be fun - sand fleas, wind burn, salt water stinging your eyes.. . EDWARD (small smile, considering it) Which beach? BELLA La Push. 35. His smile lessens almost imperceptibly. BELLA Is something wrong with that beach? Edward glances over at Mike - the two exchange cold looks. EDWARD It's just a little crowded. Off Bella, as Edward walks away.. . 48 EXT. LA PUSH BEACH - DAY 48 It's freezing, but Mike, Tyler, Jessica and others suit up for a surf. Eric hangs with them. Bella wanders by the driftwood with Angela, who takes photographs. ANGELA I keep thinking Eric's going to ask me to prom, then he just... doesn't. BELLA You could ask him. (off Angela's flustered look) Take control. You're a strong independent woman. ANGELA I am? JACOB (O.S. ) Bella! She looks up to see three Quileute boys approaching the group; Jacob Black, and SAM and EMBRY. Bella smiles at Jacob. BELLA Guys, this is Jacob. Are you stalking me? JACOB You're on my rez, remember? You surfing? BELLA Definitely not. JESSICA (teasing) Keep her company. Her date bailed. ERIC What date? 36. JESSICA She invited Edward. BELLA (embarrassed) To be polite. ANGELA I think it's nice she invited him. No one ever does. MIKE Because Cullen's a freak. SAM You got that right. BELLA You know them? SAM (sharply) The Cullens don't come here. Jacob shoots Sam a look, shakes his head. Bella registers this. A beat, then she casually pulls Jacob aside - BELLA You want to go look at tide pools? She offers an awkwardly flirtatious smile. He grins, infatuated. As they head toward the water.. . EXT. LA PUSH BEACH - LATER DAY 49 Bella and Jacob wander near the water, looking out to sea for whales. The surfers are out on the waves. She nudges him, continuing her attempt at flirtation.. . BELLA So, what did your friend mean about the Cullens not coming here? JACOB Oops. Caught that, huh? He moves closer to her, lowering his voice for mock-secrecy. JACOB I'm not supposed to say anything. Bella gives him her best alluring smile. BELLA I can keep a secret.. . 37. JACOB (laughing) It's just an old scary story. Did you know the Quileutes are supposedly descended from wolves? BELLA Like fur, fangs ... doggy breath? Jacob chuckles. Bella smiles and prompts him to continue.. . BELLA So the legend about the Cullens is.. . JACOB Well, they're supposedly descended from this, like.. . (in a spooky voice) “enemy clan.” ... But they claimed to be different, so we made a treaty with them. BELLA Didn't they just move here? JACOB Or just moved back. BELLA Riiiight. So what was this treaty? JACOB (whispering) If they promised to stay off Quileute lands, we wouldn't expose what they really were to the pale-faces.. . Jacob pauses dramatically --Bella shivers. GIRL (O.S) AAAAAAAAGH!!!!!! ! Bella JUMPS at the bloodcurdling scream, as Angela runs past, chased by Eric waving a dead crustacean. Jacob smirks and starts back to the group. BELLA Wait... what were they really? JACOB (laughing) It's just a story, Bella. Off Bella, with more unanswered questions.. . 38. 50 EXT. SHACK COMMUNITY ON THE RIVER - LATE AFTERNOON 50 A collection of haphazard shacks and boat docks, connected by wood plank sidewalks. FIND Waylon Forge (the hippy logger who used to play Santa Claus) scraping paint off his boat, swigging a pint as he listens to his prehistoric Walkman. His old DOG lies next to him as the sounds of the forest and river chirp and buzz. Waylon sings along to his Walkman.. . Suddenly, the sounds of nature abruptly SILENCE themselves. The dog raises his head, starts to GROWL. Waylon doesn't notice. STAY ON WAYLON, singing, working... until he looks up and realizes the dog's gone. WAYLON Jerry? Waylon pulls off the headphones. WHISTLES. No dog. Waylon walks up a walkway... then sees a DOG LEG, sticking out from under a bush. WAYLON Come on, Jerry, you old mutt.. . He pulls at the leg. It's detached. He reels back, stumbling onto his boat, frantically untying the line and pushing out - ON THE WATER - Waylon floats, breath short, listening acutely. WAYLON'S POV -ON THE WOODS lining the river. Ominous darkness. A NOISE. He jerks around. Nothing. Then suddenly, his boat ROCKS violently; he spins - A MAN - now stands on the bow. JAMES, 30, pale white. A vampire. But his eyes, unlike the Cullens, are a deep, sinister BURGUNDY, and absolutely lethal. His catlike movements are always on the edge of a crouch. WAYLON H-how did you do that? JAMES Always the same inane questions.. . Waylon turns but a woman LEAPS onto the bow --it's VICTORIA, 26, chaotic red hair filled with leaves from the woods. Terrified, Waylon spins around to see LAURENT, 28, glossy black hair, olive skin, lounging on his boat seat. All three Nomads wear frayed clothes, and all three are bare foot. JAMES “What do you want? ” 39. VICTORIA “Why are you doing this? ” LAURENT (sighs, slight French accent) ... James, must we? JAMES The question should be, “will it hurt? ” Victoria grins sadistically. Then with lightening fast speed, the three of them VIOLENTLY LUNGE - SMASH TO BLACK: 51 FADE IN ON EDWARD'S FACE AGAINST BLACKNESS 51 SNAPSHOTS of his eyes, his cheekbones, his lips.. . 52 INT. BELLA'S ROOM - ON HER FACE - MORNING 52 As she sits in front of her computer, lost in thought. She shakes herself out of it and types into her search engine “Quileute legends, Olympic Peninsula.” An AD pops up, “Thunderbird & Whale Book Store, Port Angeles.” Bella, intrigued, clicks on it.. . 53 EXT. FORKS HIGH SCHOOL - SUNNY DAY 53 The sun has come out and so has the skin. Kids are in shorts though it's still barely sixty degrees. Everyone eats lunch outdoors. Bella searches the crowd for Edward. JESSICA (O.S. ) He's not here. She looks down to find Jessica sitting on the grass. JESSICA Whenever the weather's nice, the Cullens disappear. BELLA They just... ditch? JESSICA No, Dr. and Mrs. Cullen yank ‘em out for hiking and camping and stuff. I tried the idea out on my parents. Not even close. Bella registers this as Angela suddenly jumps on them. 40. ANGELA I'm going to the prom with Eric! I just asked him, I took control! (hugs Bella) Are you sure you have to go out of town? BELLA It's a family thing. JESSICA Oh my God, we need to hit the stores in Port Angeles before the dresses get cleaned out. BELLA Port Angeles?.. . (a plan forming in her mind) Can I go with you guys? ANGELA Thank God. We need your opinion. Off Bella, that's not really what she had in mind.. . 54 INT. BOUTIQUE, PORT ANGELES -ON BELLA'S FACE- AFTERNOON 54 -- antsy, distracted, as Jessica and Angela try on dresses. Bella pulls a Mapquest print-out from her purse -- it reads, “Thunderbird and Whale Book Store.” Jessica flounces out of the changing room, posing provocatively. JESSICA I think this halter makes my boobs look big. What do you think, Bella? Outside the window, a group of rowdy FRAT BOYS head toward a bar. Two of them stare at Jessica in her low-cut dress. Embarrassed, she turns back to Bella. JESSICA Bella? BELLA (absently) It looks great. JESSICA You said that about the last five dresses. ANGELA (empathetic) You're not very good at this, are you? 41. BELLA Maybe I should just go check out the book store and meet you at the restaurant later. ANGELA You sure? Bella nods, heads out. Jessica's looks in the mirror again. JESSICA She was right about this halter, though. It does look great. 55 OMITTED 55 56 OMITTED 56 57 EXT. THUNDERBIRD AND WHALE BOOKSTORE/STREETS - NIGHT 57 Bella exits, thumbing through a BOOK she just bought. She heads down the sidewalk, but then hears FOOTSTEPS behind her. She turns, doesn't see anyone. She puts the book in her shoulder bag and continues. UNKNOWN POV - ON BELLA -someone's following her. She looks around, changing course to cut across a parking lot. Unknown POV gets closer... and closer, until she reaches - 58 EXT. WAREHOUSE AT END OF PARKING LOT - NIGHT 58 Isolated. Bella, breath short, scared, turns around just as - - TWO MEN emerge from the shadows, not vampires, but the Frat Boys, really wasted now. FRAT BOY # 1 Wanna beer? She looks to her left; the other TWO GUYS are there. She's cornered. She takes her purse from around her shoulder. BELLA Look, just take my bag. FRAT BOY # 2 We don't want your bag. She takes a defensive stance and wraps the strap around her wrist to use her purse as a mace. They chortle derisively. But when Frat Boy #1 comes near, she swings it, hits him in the groin. The BOOK in her bag doubles him over. The other three laugh, and start to close in. But suddenly - HEADLIGHTS blind them. A silver Volvo screeches up. The Frat Boys dive out of the way. The passenger-side door opens. It's Edward. She's too stunned to even move. 42. EDWARD Get in. She finally does. But Frat Boy #2 jumps into the game and rushes Edward's side of the car - Edward SCREECHES to a halt and is out of the car and facing Frat Boy #2 so fast, neither the Frat Boys, nor Bella, see it. Nor does Bella see Edward's GLARE, so chilling, so animalistic in its fury that Frat Boy #2, scared, instinctively backs off. As Edward climbs back into the car, Bella just stares at him. 59 INT. EDWARD'S CAR - DRIVING - NIGHT 59 Bella continues to stare. She sees that he's seething with anger, hands gripping the steering wheel, jaw clenched. BELLA What -- no, how did you find -- ? EDWARD (through gritted teeth) I should go back and rip their heads off. BELLA No. Bad idea. EDWARD You don't know the vile, repulsive things they were thinking. BELLA And you do? EDWARD (covering) Not hard to guess. 60 EXT. WATERFALL RESTAURANT - FRONT ENTRANCE - NIGHT 60 Jessica and Angela exit the restaurant as Bella approaches. ANGELA Where were you!? We left you a message. JESSICA We waited, but we were starving - Then they see Edward behind her, climbing out of his car. They freeze, agog. He's composed now, making an effort to be charming. And they are charmed. EDWARD Sorry I kept Bella from dinner. We ran into each other and got talking. 43. JESSICA I - we - understand. We were just... leaving, so - The two girls start to go. Bella is forced to go with them. BELLA Okay, well. Thank you. She starts to follow the girls. Edward is torn, then abruptly - EDWARD (abruptly) Maybe I should make sure Bella gets something to eat. (off Bella's surprised look) ... If you'd like. Then I could drive you back myself. ANGELA That's so... thoughtful. JESSICA Really thoughtful. BELLA (debates, then decides) I could eat. As he guides her off, the two girls share a look, and a noiseless scream of excitement. EXT. WATERFALL RESTAURANT - DINING PATIO - NIGHT 61 Bella and Edward sit on the deck. A dramatic waterfall shimmers behind them. A waitress places a steaming plate of mesquite roasted salmon in front of Bella and nothing in front of Edward. She exits. BELLA You're not eating? EDWARD I'm on a special diet. BELLA Like South Beach? EDWARD Not exactly. She looks at him curiously as she takes a bite. 44. BELLA So how ‘bout some answers? EDWARD Yes, no. To get to the other side, and 1 point 772453851. BELLA I didn't ask for the square root of pi. EDWARD You knew that? BELLA How did you know where I was? EDWARD I didn't. She shakes her head, frustrated, and turns to go inside - - EDWARD (stops her, sincerely) Don't go. He seems torn by some internal dilemma. Then finally.. . BELLA Were you following me? EDWARD I feel very protective of you. BELLA So that's a yes? EDWARD Yes, I followed you. I tried to keep my distance...until you needed help. BELLA (putting everything together) You said before... That you heard what those guys were thinking.. . Can you... read minds? EDWARD (shrugs) I'm thinking of getting a nine- hundred number. BELLA (trying to grasp) Alright, so you read minds... What am I thinking? Wait -- okay now, go. 45. EDWARD I have no idea. I can read every mind in there, except yours. (points at people inside) Work, sex, money, sex, sex, boyfriend - (points at Bella) Nothing. It's quite frustrating. BELLA Why, what's wrong with me? EDWARD I tell you I read minds and you think there's something wrong with you? He smiles, charmed by her. But his smile fades, that torn look returns. He holds onto the rail, looking out. BELLA What is it? EDWARD I... don't have the strength to stay away from you anymore. She's surprised. And thrilled. BELLA Edward, you don't have to. He's drawn in by her encouraging gaze... but he closes his eyes a beat, and turns back to the water. EDWARD (almost to himself) This is wrong. BELLA Edward - EDWARD You're cold. We should go. He walks away before she can ask any more questions.. . 62 EXT. ROAD - NIGHT 62 Edward's Volvo speeds along the two lane highway. 63 INT. EDWARD'S VOLVO - NIGHT 63 Bella glances at Edward, might ask him more questions but he seems to be wrestling with his own thoughts. Finally.. . 46. BELLA I think I'm warm enough now. She reaches for the heater dial, he does as well -- their hands TOUCH. And hold a moment too long. An electric current connecting them. BELLA Your hand, it's still freezing cold. He pulls his hand away, but she keeps looking at it... then her attention shifts outside to FLASHING POLICE LIGHTS. As they drive past the FORKS POLICE STATION, a sheriff's car pulls away. Charlie's cruiser is parked out front. BELLA (concerned) Dad's here late. Something must have happened. EXT./INT. FORKS - POLICE STATION (CONTINUOUS) - NIGHT 64 The Volvo pulls up. Bella and Edward climb out. Edward then sees a second car next to the cruiser. EDWARD That's my father's car. What's he -- ? EDWARD AND BELLA'S POV: INSIDE THE DARKENED POLICE STATION In a pool of light, a distressed Charlie and Dr. Cullen study photographs and evidence. As they wrap up their discussion, Dr. Cullen puts a sympathetic hand on Charlie's shoulder, then exits the police station looking grim. EDWARD Carlisle. What happened? DR. CULLEN Waylon Forge was found in the woods out near his place. I just examined the body. Edward darkens. Bella is horrified. BELLA He died? How? DR. CULLEN Animal attack. BELLA The same kind that killed the security guard down in Mason? Edward and Dr. Cullen trade a look, subtle, but Bella catches it. 47. DR. CULLEN Most likely. BELLA So it's getting closer to town. EDWARD Waylon lived all the way down on Queets River. 75 miles south. BELLA But that's - DR. CULLEN (with a kind, reassuring smile) Bella, you should go inside. Waylon was your father's friend. She goes to the door, but looks back to see them conferring quietly, gravely. Clearly, there's more to this. 65 INT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT 65 Bella enters to find a distressed Charlie studying evidence, photos, maps --trying to make sense of Waylon's death. Deputies come and go in the background. Bella approaches Charlie. He looks up. BELLA Dad, I'm sorry about Waylon. CHARLIE Known him going on thirty years. He's obviously torn up. Bella isn't quite sure what to do. And so puts a comforting hand on his shoulder. A beat.. . Then Charlie squeezes her hand. It's the first physical affection we've seen between them. And it threatens to evoke even more emotion in Charlie. So he tamps it down, and rises, then projects a confident manner. CHARLIE We'll get to the bottom of this, Bella. But in the meantime.. . As an ambulance pulls up outside, he opens a drawer, finds out a cannister of PEPPER SPRAY. CHARLIE ... I want you to have this. BELLA That's probably not a good - 48. CHARLIE It'll give me some peace of mind. She sees he needs this, and allows him to put it into her purse. As Charlie goes to get his coat, Bella steps outside to SEE - A66 EXT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT - BELLA'S POV A66 Two Attendants hoist a metal gurney into an ambulance. On it, Waylon's dead, white, bloody bare FEET peek out from under a sheet, resting at a disturbingly unnatural angle. Off Bella, chilled.. . SMASH TO: FLASH POP TO EDWARD'S BLACK EYES FLASH POP TO EDWARD'S COLD WHITE HAND. FLASH POP TO THE FIVE CULLENS, SLOW MOTION, beautiful and white. FLASH POP TO WAYLON'S TWISTED WHITE FEET INT. BELLA'S ROOM - ON BELLA - NIGHT 66 -- as she turns on the LIGHT. She hears a SNAP! outside the window. She rises, digs into her purse for the PEPPER SPRAY Charlie gave her, and goes to the window. She looks out - - all she sees is the wind blowing hard. But she's rattled. She closes the curtains, then reaches for the BOOK she bought earlier. She thumbs through, laying the pepper spray within reach. INSERT THE BOOK, “QUILEUTE FOLK STORIES AND ART. ” As she leafs through we see PHOTOS of ancient, carved MASKS. Comical, menacing, haunting... then she stops on a photo of a white mask with black eyes and a row of sharp teeth. THE INSCRIPTION reads, “The Cold One. ” Bella quickly goes to her computer and Googles “Cold One ” - several beer ads appear. Frustrated, she closes the pop-ups, revealing a link to: “The Cold One: Apotamkin” - - INTERCUT BETWEEN BELLA AND THE COMPUTER SCREEN Several PICTURES begin loading: the seductive Apotamkin with his ice-blue skin, devouring his victims in tapestries, engravings, paintings. Creatures beautiful and horrific. Craven, skeletal demons attacking villages; perfectly sculpted predators, luring innocent maidens... it's all murder, blood, sexuality. THEN SEVERAL WORDS LEAP OUT in quick succession: 49. -- “Speed.” “Strength.” “Cold skinned.” “Immortal... “ Then finally: “Blood drinker. ” And we LAND ON A PICTURE OF A HANDSOME MAN BITING A WOMAN'S WHITE NECK.. . FLASH POP TO THE SAME PICTURE AS IT MOMENTARILY COMES ALIVE, BUT NOW IT'S EDWARD BITING BELLA'S NECK, BLOOD DRIPPING - BACK ON BELLA - she reels back from the computer in utter disbelief. BELLA ... it's not possible.. . Off BELLA'S FACE, struggling to make sense of it all.. . MATCH CUT: 67 EXT. SCHOOL -LAWN -ON BELLA'S FACE -DAWN --THICK FOG 67 She stands in the center of the deserted, green lawn. Her expression tells us she's still reeling with disbelief. STAY ON HER FACE, TIME LAPSING AS: The bell rings and students exit class, rushing past Bella as she stands still, waiting.. . BELLA'S POV - EDWARD AND HIS SIBLINGS -- cross the lawn, heading to class. Edward sees Bella, sees the intensity on her face. He stops. She walks to him, eyes meeting his... her look says, we have to talk... and she continues directly past him, into the dark forest that borders the school. He watches her disappear in the trees, then takes a step to follow. Jasper moves in front of him, Rosalie grabs his arm. ROSALIE Edward, don't go. But Alice gently removes Rosalie's hand from his arm. ALICE He's already there. 68 EXT. FOREST - DAY 68 Bella stands amid the trees, waiting. Then the SOUNDS OF THE FOREST abruptly drop out. A predator is near. Edward appears behind her. She doesn't turn around. A beat. 50. BELLA You're impossibly fast. And strong. Your skin is pale-white, ice-cold. Your eyes change color. And sometimes you speak like... you're from a different time. (turns to face him now) You never eat food, or drink, or come out in the sunlight. And you said no to the beach trip only after you heard where it was. Because of the treaty. This last registers with him. She steps closer to him. BELLA How old are you? EDWARD Seventeen. BELLA How long have you been seventeen? A long beat as we begin to CIRCLE THEM. He sees he can't hide anymore. Honesty is an enormous risk, but he has to take it. EDWARD ... A while. She inhales. She knew, but it's still shocking. We CIRCLE THEM FASTER - BELLA I know what the Cold Ones are. What you are. EDWARD Say it. Out loud. Say it. All sound suddenly DROPS OUT. We hear only her whisper.. . BELLA ... Vampire They seem to hover in momentary stasis, him utterly exposed, her reality utterly rocked. EDWARD Are you afraid? BELLA No. 51. EDWARD (angry) Then ask me the most basic question: what do we eat? BELLA You won't hurt me. You're different. EDWARD You think you know me? He glares at her. She holds her ground. Suddenly, he takes her by the hand. Starts walking. BELLA Where are we going? EDWARD Up the mountain. Out of the cloud bank. You need to see what I really am. What I look like in the harsh light of the sun. BELLA No! The sunlight will kill you. EDWARD Myth. You need to see the truth. He pulls her but she stumbles. BELLA Slow down. Suddenly, he's right next to her. EDWARD Are you afraid? BELLA No. EDWARD Then come with me. Someplace where no one can protect you. Where I could do what I've wanted to do from the first moment I met you. Their proximity is intense, riveting both of them. BELLA I'm not afraid. EDWARD You should be. 52. He abruptly and effortlessly scoops her up into his arms. EDWARD Hold on. Then he flings her onto his back... and starts running. 69 EXT. FOREST - RUNNING - DAY 69 As in the opening sequence, Edward races through the forest, dark trunks STROBING past as he picks up speed, faster and faster. Bella clings to his back as it seems he'll collide with the trees, but he avoids them with supernatural grace. It's frightening, nauseating, intoxicating. EDWARD Are you afraid! ? BELLA No! But she clings tighter. Terrified. They climb in altitude. Higher and higher, above the fog layer. Finally, up ahead - THE FOREST'S EDGE fast approaches, a clearing is beyond. The sunlight glows white hot beyond the trees... they're about to emerge from the shadowy darkness... but suddenly- Bella finds herself sitting on the ground, against a tree. All is silent. She's dizzy, tries to regain her equilibrium. Then she realizes she's alone. BELLA Edward? Where are you? She rises, then steps just beyond the fringe of the ferns into - 70 EXT. A MEADOW (CONTINUOUS) - DAY 70 A perfect circle of swaying grass, wildflowers and buttery sunlight. HEAR a stream nearby. Bella looks around and finally sees - EDWARD, his shirt open, standing nearby in the shade of some trees. He watches her cautiously. She takes a step toward him, but he holds up a hand. She waits. Finally, he takes a deep breath, and steps out of the shade - EDWARD This is why we don't show ourselves in sunlight.. . As the sun hits him... EDWARD'S SKIN literally sparkles as if embedded with thousands of tiny diamonds. He is magnificent, shimmering, like a statue carved from glittering crystal. He moves toward her. 53. EDWARD This is what I am. He nears, clearly expecting her to recoil, but.. . BELLA You're... beautiful.. . He realizes that she's in awe. She reaches to touch him, but he immediately backs into the shadows, his skin normal again. EDWARD (appalled) Beautiful? I'm a killer, Bella. This is the skin of a killer. His arm juts into A SHAFT OF LIGHT, sparkling again. BELLA I don't believe that. EDWARD Because you believe the lie. The camouflage. I'm the world's most dangerous predator. Everything about me invites you in - my voice, my face, even my smell. As if I need any of that.. . He's suddenly BEHIND her --then IN FRONT of her --then by a tree, DARTING so fast, we only see where he lands - EDWARD As if you could outrun me. As if you could fight me off. He abruptly rips off a LARGE TREE LIMB, then THROWS it against a tree trunk with explosive force. Bella flinches, but holds her ground, unshakable. EDWARD I'm designed to kill. BELLA I don't care. EDWARD I've killed people. BELLA It doesn't matter. 54. EDWARD I wanted to kill you. I've never wanted a human's blood so much in my life. I'm dangerous to you. BELLA I trust you. EDWARD Don't. BELLA I trust you, Edward. I'm here. She takes his hand. He reels at the warmth of her touch. She leans in, drawn to him, unaware that her THROAT is nearing his lips... then suddenly he's gone. BELLA Edward? She looks over to FIND he's on the other side of the meadow, catching his breath. EDWARD You... took me by surprise. (collecting himself) I don't know how to... do this. He moves back toward her. Slowly. EDWARD Me, and my family, we're different from others of our kind. We're not nomadic, we have a permanent home. We only hunt animals. We've learned to control our thirst.. . (shaking his head) But you - your scent, it's like a drug to me... my own personal brand of heroin. BELLA (realizing) Oh... I thought you hated me when we met. EDWARD I did. For making me want you so badly. I'm still not sure I can control myself. He reaches her again. BELLA I know you can. 55. He's utterly vulnerable as he looks at her, searching her face for clues. EDWARD I wish I could understand this thing you see in me. You look at me with those eyes.. . (frustrated) I can't read your mind. Tell me what you're thinking. BELLA I'm afraid. Stricken, he sinks gracefully to his knees in the grass. EDWARD (devastated) Good. She sinks down in front of him. BELLA Not of that. I'm afraid... you'll disappear. That I'll lose you. EDWARD (amazed, elated) You don't know how long I've looked for you. They share a smile. Then he reaches toward her neck, pausing.. . EDWARD Be very still. She does so. Exercising great control, he places his hand on her throat... it's so exposed, so vulnerable. The rush between them is overwhelming. But Bella doesn't move. He brushes his hand up her cheek. Then lowers it to her heart... Clouds float past the sun.. . They're both overwhelmed, taking each other in. EDWARD And so the lion fell for the lamb. BELLA Stupid lamb. EDWARD Sick masochistic lion. 56. CRANE UP on the two of them, laying together, as close as they dare... his hand to her heart.. . DISSOLVE TO: 71 INT. BELLA'S ROOM - MORNING 71 CLOSE ON BELLA'S FACE. Still in bed. Thinking. BELLA (V.O. ) About three things I was absolutely positive. One, Edward was a vampire. She rises, goes to the mirror. Looks at herself, worry knitting her brow. BELLA (V.O. ) Two, there was a part of him that thirsted for my blood. And three.. . As she moves past her window, something catches her eye, causing her to BANG into her desk. She looks back out.. . BELLA'S POV - THE DRIVEWAY Edward leans against his car, looking up at her with a small smile. She beams at the sight of him. BELLA (V.O. ) ... I was falling, unconditionally and irrevocably, in love with him. 72 OMITTED 72 73 EXT. OLYMPIC RAINFOREST - DAY (ANOTHER DAY) 73 Edward helps Bella balance-walk across an enormous fallen pine tree in the moss-covered forest. BELLA How long have you been like this? EDWARD Since nineteen-eighteen. That's when Carlisle found me. She takes that in, it's a lot. But it stokes her curiosity. BELLA Where'd he find you? EDWARD In a hospital, dying of Spanish influenza. My parents had already died. 57. FLASHBACK to CHICAGO HOSPITAL, 1918 - NIGHT BELLA (V.O. ) What was it like? EDWARD (V.O. ) The word excruciating comes to mind. But what Carlisle did was much harder... not many of us have the restraint to do that. BELLA (V.O. ) Didn't he just... bite? EDWARD Not just. Our bite contains venom. And once we taste blood, a sort of.. . frenzy begins. It's almost impossible to stop. BELLA (V.O. ) But Carlisle did. EDWARD First with me, then with his wife, Esme. He found her in a hospital, as well. The others followed. BACK to PRESENT DAY BELLA Does someone have to be dying to become like you?.. . Their CONVERSATION CONTINUES as we go to - 74 EXT. RIVER'S EDGE - DAY (ANOTHER DAY) 74 They walk along a stunning coastline -- rugged black rocks, covered in bright green moss. EDWARD ... No, that's just Carlisle. He would never do... this, to someone who had another choice. BELLA So Carlisle's the reason why you hunt animals, instead of people. EDWARD Not the only reason. He stops, looks down at her, serious, with emotion.. . 58. EDWARD I don't want to be a monster. She nods. Understands. He smiles. EDWARD We call ourselves vegetarians, by the way... For our kind, hunting animals is like living on tofu. It keeps you strong but isn't very satisfying. Then abruptly, he whips past Bella. She turns to see him standing on a large rock in the river. BELLA Show off. EDWARD It's not that impressive, really. Anyone in my family can do this. BELLA Can they all read minds, too? EDWARD No, that's unique to me. But Alice can see the future. BELLA (fishing) Really? Bet she saw me coming a mile away. She notes his change of mood as he slows, darkening. EDWARD Her visions are very subjective. The future can change. He cuts off her questions by returning to shore, and continuing their walk.. . 75 EXT. CHARLIE'S HOUSE - TWILIGHT (ANOTHER DAY) 75 Water sprays from a hose as Bella and Edward wash her truck. A boom box PLAYS. He perches on top of the roof. EDWARD Come to my house tomorrow. Bella looks up, aiming the hose badly - water ricochets off the cab and sprays in her face. He jumps down from the roof. BELLA Your house? With your family? 59. He wipes down the dented front fender, then reaches under it and, with his bare hands, easily pops a large DENT out of the truck's body. She's too flustered to register it. BELLA But... what if they don't like me? EDWARD (laughing heartily) You're worried, not because you'll be in a houseful of vampires, but because you think they won't approve of you? BELLA I'm glad I amuse you. But then his laughter dies, as he hears something. BELLA What is it? EDWARD A complication. ... as a BLACK CAR comes into view, and pulls up. EDWARD I'll pick you up tomorrow. He heads to his car, eying the passengers in - EDWARD'S POV - INT. BLACK CAR Jacob, with his father, Billy, who's expression is intense. Anxious. SLOW MOTION as Edward locks eyes with Billy. Jacob looks questioningly at his father. Bella watches Edward drive away, perturbed by the exchange. She forces a smile and goes to greet the visitors. Jacob sets up Billy's wheelchair and Billy climbs into it as - BELLA Come to visit your truck? JACOB Looks good. You got that dent out. BILLY Actually, we came to visit your flat screen. First Mariners game of the season. Plus Jacob here kept bugging me to see you again. 60. JACOB (mortified) Great, Dad. Thanks. Jacob shoots his father an irritated look, just as the POLICE CRUISER pulls up. Charlie climbs out, holding two six-packs. CHARLIE Pale Ale. BILLY (holds up a brown paper BAG) Harry Clearwater's homemade fish fry. Charlie smiles, pleased. He clicks on the game as they all head inside - BILLY Any luck with the Waylon case? CHARLIE (darkening) Found a footprint out at the crime scene today. A bare, human footprint. Billy seems disturbed but not surprised. Bella is horrified. BELLA A person did that? JACOB A crazy person, walking around barefoot this time of year. CHARLIE Spread the word out at the rez, will ya? Keep the kids out of the woods. BILLY Will do. (directed at Bella) Don't want no one else getting hurt. Bella looks away from Billy, unnerved. 76 OMITTED 76 77 OMITTED 77 78 DREAM SEQUENCE - UNDERWATER 78 Bella floats near Edward, only their hands touching, but their bodies are nearing, so close, so sensual.. . 61. Suddenly, EDWARD IS YANKED DOWNWARD! Something has him, pulling him down.. . SMASH TO: 79 INT. BELLA'S ROOM - ON BELLA - MORNING 79 -- as her eyes pop open... and relief sweeps over her as she realizes it was just a dream. But it haunts her.. . 80 EXT. OLYMPIC PENINSULA - ROAD - DAY 80 AERIAL SHOT of the forest as we sweep over its lush green expanse, to FIND Edward's Volvo speeding along, very fast. The Volvo finally turns off the paved highway and onto a long serpentine dirt road. FOLLOW THE CAR until, finally, it reaches a small meadow, in the center of which sits - 81 EXT. CULLEN HOUSE - DAY 81 A timeless graceful house. The Volvo pulls up and Bella climbs out, surprised. BELLA It's... wonderful. EDWARD You expected turrets, dungeons and moats? BELLA No... not moats. He takes her hand. She girds herself. They head inside. 82 INT. CULLEN HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY 82 Edward guides Bella into the large, bright house. Walls of glass look out on the river. Everything's open and white. Historical objects are tastefully placed throughout. HEAR Verdi's “La Traviata: Libiamo ne' lieti calici” coming from another room. Bella is enraptured. BELLA It's so light and open. EDWARD Thanks to tinted windows... It's the one place we never have to hide. We then notice CLANGING coming from the kitchen. Edward shakes his head. EDWARD I told them not to do this. 62. 83 INT. CULLEN HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY 83 Verdi's opera BLASTS Bella and Edward who enter to find the kitchen in full swing. Dr. Cullen, Emmett, Rosalie, and ESME prepare elaborate platters of Italian pastas and antipasti. Esme rolls out a pizza dough and fans tomatoes around it in an instant. Rosalie stirs a pot, disinterested. Esme sees Bella and stops, emanating maternal warmth. Her heart-shaped face and billows of hair are reminiscent of the silent-movie era. ESME Bella. We're making Italiano for you. EDWARD This is Esme, my mother for all intents and purposes. BELLA Bon giorno? ESME Molto bene! DR. CULLEN You've given us an excuse to use the kitchen for the first time. Hit pause.. . PAN across brand new Williams-Sonoma cookware boxes to the corner --they're watching an ITALIAN COOKING SHOW on a TV. Emmett hits the DVD remote control. ESME I hope you're hungry. BELLA Oh, absolutely - EDWARD She already ate. Bella shoots him a look, but something SHATTERS. Rosalie has thrown down a bowl and now strides out - ROSALIE Perfect. 63. 84 INT. LIVING ROOM (CONTINUOUS) - DAY 84 -- Bella exits behind Rosalie, trying to explain. The other's follow - BELLA I just assumed -- because you don't eat, you know.. . ESME Of course. That was very considerate of you. EDWARD (re: Rosalie) Ignore her. I do. ROSALIE Yes, let's keep pretending this isn't dangerous for all of us. BELLA I would never, ever tell anyone. DR. CULLEN (reassuring) She knows that. EMMETT The problem is, you two have gone public now, so.. . ESME Emmett. ROSALIE No, she should know. (to Bella) The entire family will be implicated if this ends badly. BELLA ... Badly? This hangs in the air, uncomfortably. Edward can't look at her. BELLA (realizing) Oh. Badly. Like, where I become a meal. Emmett chokes back laughter. Edward grins. Wraps his arm around Bella. Even Esme has to chuckle. Rosalie, exasperated, heads back into the kitchen. Emmett shrugs, goes after her. 64. ALICE (O.S. ) Hi, Bella! ON THE BALCONY Alice leaps over the rail, holding a bouquet of wildflowers. Jasper follows her. She bounces forward to kiss Bella's cheek and hands Bella the wildflowers. ALICE I'm Alice. You do smell good. EDWARD Alice. ALICE It's alright, Bella and I are going to be great friends. BELLA (extending her hand) And you're Jasper, right? JASPER Pleasure to meet you. But he shies away from her hand. ALICE (gently encouraging) You won't hurt her, Jasper. He isn't so sure. Edward takes Bella's hand instead. EDWARD I'll give you a tour of the house. ALICE (with meaning) I'll see you soon. Edward shoots Alice a look, which Bella catches before he guides her up the stairs. As they ascend, Bella takes in the eclectic ART PIECES from around the world, Ethiopian crosses, Dresden China, Asian scrolls. They reach - THE LANDING - to FIND a wall of dozens of artistically arrayed silk squares with tassels. Bella looks closer. BELLA Graduation caps? EDWARD A private joke. We matriculate a lot. BELLA What a nightmare, repeating high school. 65. EDWARD True, but the younger we start out in a new place, the longer we can stay there. She shivers at the thought of it, as they continue on.. . 85 INT. EDWARD'S ROOM - DAY 85 EDWARD ... and this is my room. Bella enters to find a wall of glass doors open to a deck, with the river beyond. The rest is floor to ceiling CD's, vinyl, 8 track tapes, etc., with a sophisticated I-pod/stereo set up. BELLA So you're obsessed with music. But.. . (looking around) No bed? EDWARD No sleep. BELLA Ever? EDWARD No nightmares, no drool, no snoring. She considers this, as she runs a hand along a wall of CD's, studying the titles. EDWARD Do you have any favorites? BELLA Depends. Alternative? Jazz? Sixties, seventies.. . EDWARD Ooh, she knows her music. Alright, nineties. Eighteen-nineties. Classical. BELLA I'd have to say... Debussy. He looks at her, surprised, smiles. EDWARD My favorite, too. Off their connection, he pulls out a CD and puts it on. A solo piano version of CLAIR DE LUNE begins to play. 66. He moves to her, taking her hand, then he starts to turn her in a pirouette, dancing with her - but she breaks off and backs away. BELLA No dancing. EDWARD Ever? BELLA No tripping, no falling, no derision. EDWARD (mischievously) I can always make you. BELLA You don't scare me. EDWARD You really shouldn't have said that. He grins, a low GROWLING SOUNDS in the back of his throat. She laughs and backs out the door, onto - 86 EXT. EDWARD'S ROOM - DECK (CONTINUOUS) 86 -- Bella backs up to the rail. Edward appears in the doorway, shifting into a half-crouch, about to pounce. BELLA Don't you dare - Suddenly, she's airborne as he tackles her and they FLY OFF THE DECK... then she finds herself - IN A TREE - in his arms. When she realizes where she is, she laughs, delighted. It's infectious, he laughs heartily, too.. . CUT AWAY TO: 87 INT. CULLEN HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - SAME 87 Esme and Dr. Cullen look out the window. Edward's LAUGHTER filters inside to them; Esme, in turn, smiles. ESME She's brought him to life. DR. CULLEN He's been alone too long... but how can it end well? ESME Alice has been wrong before. 67. DR. CULLEN Not often. Esme turns to Dr. Cullen, gentle but absolutely firm. ESME Carlisle. Bella is what he wants. It will work out. Somehow. Dr. Cullen smiles at her with love, then takes her hand as they look back out the window.. . EXT. TREE - SAME 88 Edward looks Bella in the eye. EDWARD Trust me? BELLA In theory. EDWARD Then close your eyes. She does, warily. He grips her more firmly, then LEAPS them to another tree like a flying squirrel! Then, again, to the TOP of another tree. He easily gets a foothold, while holding Bella. EDWARD Open. She does... to the most astonishing bird's eye VIEW of the valley, river, and the mountains beyond. CAMERA whirls around them allowing us a 360 degree view of their surroundings. Off Bella's intoxicated face.. . CUT AWAY TO: A89 EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - DAY A89 Jessica pops a volleyball in the air, doing practice serves. Angela takes a picture of her, then points her camera around, looking for another shot. Eric studies some fliers advertising the prom. JESSICA Monte Carlo? That's our prom theme? ERIC Gambling, tuxedos and - - (ala Sean Connery) Bond. James -- ow! -- as Jessica head-butts the ball which hits him in the face. 68. ANGELA Oh. My. God. Angela, scanning for a shot, has frozen. Jessica and Eric SEE - BELLA AND EDWARD -- arriving together. All eyes on campus are turning to them, filled with curiosity, jealousy, envy. BELLA Everyone's staring. EDWARD Not that guy over -- yeah, he just looked. Off his rakish, but reassuring smile.. . 89 CLOSE ON A GERMAN SHEPHERD 89 Moving fast, tracking. INCLUDE CHARLIE holding the leash - EXT. FOREST - DAY --It's a hunting party, several dogs, half a dozen armed men. CHARLIE Guys, we got something - The Deputies hurry to Charlie. They gather around - A FOOTPRINT. The dogs start pulling them in a certain direction. As the posse takes off at a sprint - UNKNOWN POV - ON CHARLIE, FROM A DISTANCE We watch Charlie and the posse move away... REVERSE to find - JAMES - ATOP A KNOLL, WATCHING THEM Laurent stands next to him. Victoria jogs up. VICTORIA They took the bait. JAMES By tomorrow they'll be half way to Winnipeg. Victoria lasciviously grabs James' shirt. Pulls him to her. VICTORIA I love when men chase me. 69. He grins, then starts taking off her clothes. They pull each other toward the woods with carnal lust. It barely registers with Laurent, who continues to watch the posse with concern. 90 EXT./INT. FORKS COFFEE SHOP - LATE AFTERNOON 90 Bella hurries toward the entrance, trying to keep the joy on her face in check... with minimal success. Outside the door, she passes Mike, hanging out with several of his basketball TEAMMATES. MIKE Yo, Arizona. So. You and Cullen. She shrugs, non-committal, but can't entirely hide a smile, as she hurries inside to Charlie's table and slides in. BELLA Sorry I'm late. Biology project. Cora sets a top sirloin steak in front of Charlie, and plate of seafood in front of Bella. CHARLIE Ordered you the seafood combo. BELLA Order one for yourself next time. You should cut back on the steak. CHARLIE I'm healthy as a horse. CORA (concerned) Say Chief, boys want to know, you find anything down by Queets River today? Charlie's aware of the LOGGERS at the counter listening, too. He frames his answer carefully to keep everyone calm. CHARLIE The suspect's moving east. Kitsap County Sheriff is taking over from here. They're putting extra guys on. CORA Hope they catch him fast. She moves off, with a measure of relief. Charlie and Bella pass each other the salt, butter for bread, etc., with an easy rhythm now. CHARLIE Your friends are flagging you. 70. She turns to see Mike and the guys horsing around outside, straws in their noses, making faces at her. She smiles. CHARLIE It's okay you wanna join them. I'm just gonna turn in early anyway. BELLA Yeah, me, too. CHARLIE It's a Friday night. Go out. The Newton boy's got a big smile for you. Nice family, the Newtons. BELLA He's just a friend. CHARLIE None of the boys in town interest you? BELLA We're not really going to talk about boys, are we? CHARLIE Just... you should be around people. I leave you alone too much. BELLA (with genuine affection) I've never minded being alone. Guess I'm a lot like my dad that way. Charlie smiles. These two have come a long way. Cora returns - CORA Berry cobbler, two forks. She sets it between them. Off them, both reaching for forks.. . 91 INT. BELLA'S ROOM - NIGHT 91 Bella, dressed for bed, looks out the window as she talks on the phone with Rene. Bella's euphoria still lingers in her eyes.. . BELLA So spring training's going well? INTERCUT WITH: 92 INT. CAFE - NIGHT 92 Rene talks on her cell. Phil is in the background, post-batting practice, chowing down with a couple of teammates. 71. RENE Phil's working hard. We're looking around for a house to rent, in case it becomes permanent. You'd like Jacksonville, baby. BELLA Actually, Forks is kind of growing on me. RENE (stops, knows there's more) Could... a guy have something to do with that? BELLA (small smile) Maybe.. . RENE Tell me everything! Jock? Indie? Bet he's smart. Is he smart? BELLA (trying to avoid lies) Well... he is kind of a history buff. -- this as she turns to find - EDWARD LYING ON HER BED, smiling. She nearly drops the phone. BELLA I, uh... have to go. RENE No way, we gotta talk boys. Are you being safe? Edward shoots her a look, he heard that. She's mortified. BELLA I'll call you later, Mom. STAY ON BELLA who hangs up. BELLA How did you get in here? EDWARD The window. As always. BELLA You've been here before? EDWARD What else is there to do at night? 72. She pushes him. He grabs her hand and playfully pulls her onto the bed, wrestling as - BELLA You're a peeping Tom! Perv! EDWARD Shh! The Chief will hear you! But the electricity of their physical contact quickly overwhelms them, their laughter quieting. He studies her face. EDWARD I just... like watching over you. He raises his fingers to her lips, sending a thrill up her spine. EDWARD There's something I'd like to try. She nods, bedazzled by him. He takes her face in his hands, hesitates to test himself, then he softly kisses her.. . What neither of them is prepared for is her response. Her breath comes in a wild GASP. Her fingers knot in his hair, clutching him to her. Lips part as she breathes his scent.. . Then his hands gently, but forcefully push her face back. She opens her eyes to see that his eyes are wild, his jaw clenched. BELLA (mortified) Oh... I'm... oh. He relaxes slightly, looking at her blushing face. EDWARD I'm stronger than I thought. BELLA Wish I could say the same. I'm so embarrassed. EDWARD Don't be. But we have to be careful. (serious) I can never lose control with you. Ever. She nods, then carefully lies on his chest. He wraps his arms around her. Off the two of them.. . 93 INT. CHARLIE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON 93 Bella enters to find Charlie cleaning a rifle. He starts to say hello but she just blurts out - - 73. BELLA I have a date with Edward Cullen. He suddenly looks like he's having an aneurysm. CHARLIE He's too old for you. BELLA We're both juniors. I thought you liked the Cullens. CHARLIE And I thought you weren't interested in any of the boys in town. BELLA Edward doesn't live “in town.” And it's in the early stage and - - whatever, he's outside right now. CHARLIE Now? He's out there? BELLA He wants to meet you. Officially. CHARLIE Good. He cocks the rifle in mock-seriousness. BELLA Be nice, okay? He's... important. Charlie gives his daughter a reassuring nod... then she opens the door to REVEAL Edward in a parka and gloves. EDWARD Chief Swan. I wanted to formally introduce myself. I'm Edward. Edward extends his hand. Charlie takes it, but grunts a hello, resisting him. EDWARD I won't keep Bella out late tonight. We're just going to go play baseball with my family. CHARLIE Bella's going to play baseball? Bella's equally surprised, but hides it. 74. EDWARD Yes, sir, that's the plan. CHARLIE Well. More power to you, I guess. EDWARD (looks him in the eyes) She'll be safe with me, sir, I promise. As Edward exits... Charlie holds Bella back. CHARLIE (sotto) You got that pepper spray? BELLA Dad. 94 EXT. CHARLIE'S HOUSE - LATE AFTERNOON 94 Edward and Bella climb into a massive JEEP parked in the drive. EDWARD (amused) Your father thinks you should go to an all-girl's school. BELLA No fair, reading Charlie's mind. As they climb in the Jeep, Bella notices a baseball bat - BELLA And since when do vampires like baseball? EDWARD It's the American pastime. Plus, there's a thunderstorm coming. It's the only time we can play. You'll see why. 95 EXT. CLEARING IN WOODS - TWILIGHT 95 Storm clouds gather in the sky as Bella and Edward pull up in the Jeep. She takes in a rough baseball diamond, set into an enormous field in the lap of the Olympic peaks. Esme and Emmett come to greet Bella. ESME Good thing you're here. We need a umpire. EMMETT (big crooked grin) She thinks we cheat. 75. ESME I know you cheat. Call ‘em as you see ‘em, Bella. WHIP PAN to Alice on the Pitcher's Mound. ALICE It's time. -- Just as a deep RUMBLE of thunder shakes the forest. BEGIN MONTAGE - THE GAME And it's extraordinary. Bella stays by Esme who plays catcher. Alice pitches with lightning-fast speed. Edward and Emmett take positions in the outfield. -- ROSALIE SMASHES the ball with the aluminum bat. It CRACKS like thunder -- and is followed directly by real THUNDER. BELLA (to Esme) Now I get why you need the thunder. The ball SHOOTS like a meteor deep into the forest, rocketing through the trees. Edward disappears after it. BELLA That has to be a home run. ESME Edward's very fast. Rosalie darts around the bases, almost a blur -- Edward races out of the forest with the ball and WHIPS it to home plate. WHAP! Esme catches it a millisecond before Rosalie slides in. BELLA Yer out? Esme nods... Amazed, Bella watches as DR. CULLEN hits a line drive. Edward and Emmett race for the catch, DIVING 15 feet and COLLIDING with such might that it sounds like enormous boulders falling. They miss the ball -- Dr. Cullen is safe! JASPER WHACKS the next pitch -- deep into the forest. But before Edward can chase it, Alice suddenly GASPS. ALICE Stop! I didn't see them.. . They all stop. Edward is immediately at Bella's side. The family instantly gathers at home plate. ALICE They're traveling so quickly - 76. ROSALIE You said they left the county - - ALICE They did, but then they heard us.. . (looking at Edward) And changed their minds. EDWARD (to Bella) Put your hair down - ROSALIE Like that'll help. I could smell her from across the field. Edward ignores Rosalie as he arranges Bella's hair. EDWARD I shouldn't have brought you here. I'm so sorry. She'd ask why, but suddenly, they all turn as one toward - THE EDGE OF THE FOREST There's a faint rustle... then James, Victoria and Laurent emerge. As they near, Bella SEES their bare feet, then the deep BURGUNDY of their eyes. Laurent holds up the baseball. LAURENT I believe this belongs to you. He tosses the ball (his casual toss is still blindingly fast) to Dr. Cullen who easily catches it and smiles politely. DR. CULLEN Thank you. LAURENT Could you use three more players? DR. CULLEN Of course. LAURENT I'm Laurent. This is Victoria. And James. DR. CULLEN Would you like to bat first? Laurent picks up a bat. The Cullens take the field. Dr. Cullen is catcher, Edward is on first, with Bella behind him, near the Jeep. 77. Bella sees that Edward's eyes are locked onto James. Laurent is at bat first. DR. CULLEN I'm afraid your hunting activities have caused something of a mess for us. LAURENT Our apologies. We didn't realize the territory had been claimed. DR. CULLEN Yes, we maintain a permanent residence. The three newcomers exchange a look of surprise. LAURENT Really? Well, we won't be a problem any more. VICTORIA The humans were tracking us, but we led them East- Jasper pitches the ball -- Laurent SLAMS it -- but Alice is up a tree is a flash and the ball slams into Alice's hand with a THWAP. Laurent is pissed, but James smiles ever so slightly, delighted at the discovery of worthy opponents. James is up next and he POWER-SLAMS IT with AMAZING FORCE.. . He runs past first, past Edward, past Bella.. . CLOSE ON BELLA -- IN SLOW MOTION as the wind from the ball ruffles her hair, carrying her scent, which floats to - JAMES -- who suddenly SCREECHES to a halt. His head WHIPS around at her and he lurches into a crouch, his nostrils flaring, excitedly, eyes locked on Bella. JAMES You brought a snack. EDWARD springs in front of Bella, baring his teeth. A truly menacing, feral SNARL rips from his throat. James GROWLS back. OVERHEAD SHOT: in a flash, the Cullens rush into position behind Edward -- Laurent and Victoria line up behind James. DR. CULLEN The girl is with us. 78. LAURENT (trying to defuse situation) We won't harm her. EMMETT (hungry for battle) Just try it. DR. CULLEN I think it best if you leave. LAURENT Yes, I can see the game is over. We'll go now. James? But James' eyes don't leave Edward's. Laurent puts a hand on James' shoulder, and finally, James backs into the woods with his cohorts, disappearing. Once they're gone, Esme immediately gathers up the bats- - DR. CULLEN Get Bella out of here. We'll follow them. Dr. Cullen, Jasper and a resentful Rosalie race off after the three vampires. Edward scoops Bella up as we - SMASH TO: EXT. BASEBALL FIELD - ON THE JEEP - LATE TWILIGHT 96 Edward whips Bella into the Jeep and straps her in - - EDWARD James is a tracker. I saw his mind. The hunt is his obsession, and my reaction set him off - - -- The tires spin as Edward WHIPS the jeep around - EDWARD -- We're a large clan of strong fighters all protecting one vulnerable human. (dark with disgust) I just made this his most exciting game ever. Bella blanches with the dawning realization of what she has just wrought up on them all as.. . THE JEEP CAREENS DOWN THE DIRT MOUNTAIN ROAD A jolting, death defying ride, SPLASHING through creeks, until they reach - 79. 97 EXT. MOUNTAIN ROAD - NIGHT 97 THE JEEP speeds wildly down the road. EDWARD The first place he'll go is your house. He'll track your scent there. BELLA (horrified) What?!? Charlie's there. He's in danger because of me. Because of us! EDWARD (calmly) Then we'll lead the tracker away from him. Somehow. He angrily WHIPS around a bend, MUD FLYING - 98 INT. CHARLIE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 98 Charlie watches a baseball game on T.V. as the door suddenly BURSTS open to reveal Bella, crying, and Edward, devastated- BELLA I said, leave me alone! EDWARD Bella, don't do this. Just think about it, please - BELLA Get out! It's over. She SLAMS the door. Charlie has risen, baffled, concerned. CHARLIE Bella? What happened? BELLA I have to get out of this place. Out of Forks. I'm leaving. Now. Bella runs upstairs. Charlie hurries after her - 99 INT. BELLA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT 99 Bella slams the door behind her. REVEAL Edward's already there, pulling things from her drawers and shoving them into a duffle faster than humanly possible. Bella leans against the door. 80. BELLA (a pained whisper) I can't hurt him. Edward gives her a look, you have to. There's a KNOCK. INTERCUT Charlie on the other side. It's agony for both of them. CHARLIE Bells. Did he hurt you? BELLA No, Dad. CHARLIE Then what? Did he break up with you? BELLA I broke up with him. CHARLIE I thought you liked him? BELLA That's why I have to leave. I don't want this. I want to go home. EDWARD (whispering) I'll be in the truck. And he disappears out the window. Bella gathers strength to continue her performance. She opens the door to reveal Charlie. He follows as she carries her duffle and truck keys into - 100 INT. CHARLIE'S HOUSE - STAIRS (CONTINUOUS) - NIGHT 100 Bella charges down the stairs -- Charlie follows. CHARLIE Your mother's not even in Phoenix. BELLA She'll come home. I'll call her from the road. CHARLIE You can't drive home now. I'll take you to the airport in the morning. BELLA I want to drive. I need time to think. I'll pull into a motel in a few hours. I promise. She heads down the stairs. Charlie follows.. . 81. 101 INT. CHARLIE'S HOUSE -LIVING ROOM (CONTINUOUS) -NIGHT 101 Bella reaches the ground floor with Charlie on her heels. She's almost to the door but Charlie blocks her. CHARLIE Bells, I know I'm not around much, but I can change that. We can do more things together. She takes a breath, hating herself for what she's about to say.. . BELLA Like watch more baseball on the flat screen? Or go to the Coffee Shop? Same people, same steak, same berry cobbler every night? That's you, Dad. Not me. This hits Charlie hard. She can barely stand it, heads down the stairs, as he takes a second to recover.. . CHARLIE Bella... I just got you back. Which breaks Bella's heart... and forces her to deliver the final blow. BELLA And if I don't get out now, I'm going get stuck here like mom did. Charlie is stunned, wounded. She takes advantage of his shock, pushing past him out the door. 102 EXT. CHARLIE'S HOUSE - NIGHT 102 Bella exits, heads to her truck. Fresh tears spring to her eyes. ANGLE ON THE WOODS Trees, branches... and a pair of DEADLY EYES. James. He watches from a distance as Bella pulls out. The truck moves off... and so does James, leaving Charlie alone with his pain, staring out the window. 103 INT. BELLA'S TRUCK - NIGHT 103 Bella drives, wiping tears away. Suddenly Edward is outside the car, near Bella's window. 82. EDWARD He'll forgive you. (off Bella's startled look) Slide over.. . Bella slides over to the passenger side as Edward opens the door, sliding in, and takes the wheel. Bella slumps. BELLA His face... I said the same words my mother used when she left him. EDWARD It was the only way he'd let you go. Edward FLOORS it. EDWARD Your father's safe now, Bella. The tracker is following us - Suddenly, BOOM! - a dark figure LEAPS onto the bed of the truck. Bella SCREAMS. EDWARD It's alright. It's just Emmett. Alice is in the car behind us. She catches her breath. It kills him to see her so frightened. She looks out the window as they drive through town.. . 104 BELLA'S POV - EXT. FORKS COFFEE SHOP (CONT) - NIGHT 104 The small, insulated town passes by in SLOW MOTION... INSIDE we SEE Mike, Jessica, Eric and Angela laughing, flirting, innocent, hopeful.. . 105 EXT. CULLEN HOUSE - NIGHT 105 Edward, Emmett and Alice rush Bella from the truck to the house... but freeze when the door opens and Laurent exits. They immediately take defensive positions but Dr. Cullen appears. DR. CULLEN He came to warn us. About James. They back down slightly. Laurent address Dr. Cullen. LAURENT I've grown tired of his games. But he's got unparalleled senses. Absolutely lethal. I've never seen anything like him in three hundred years ... And the woman, Victoria, will back him. Don't underestimate her. 83. Dr. Cullen nods thanks. Laurent looks at Edward, apologetic. LAURENT I'm truly sorry for what's been unleashed here. And he moves off, disappearing into the woods.. . 106 INT. CULLEN HOUSE - FOUR CAR GARAGE - NIGHT The side door BURSTS OPEN as Edward and the Cullens enter, followed by Bella. The lights flip on to reveal a pristine garage; the Volvo, the red BMW, a black Mercedes sedan, an SUV. Everyone but Rosalie springs into action, opening cupboards for supplies - cell phones, extra batteries, maps, portable GPS units, changes of clothes, cans of gasoline, etc. As they load up the vehicles - JASPER I've had to fight our kind before. We're hard to kill. EDWARD But not impossible. We'll tear him up EMMETT (with bloodlust) We'll rip him apart with our hands, then burn the pieces - DR. CULLEN I don't relish killing another creature. Even a sadistic one like James. ROSALIE If he doesn't get to one of us first. BELLA (horrified) This is insane. You can't put yourselves in danger like this - for me. ROSALIE Too late. Edward shoots Rosalie a look, but he grabs two sets of keys off a hook, throwing one set, lightning fast, to Dr. Cullen - EDWARD I'll run Bella south, while you lead the tracker away - 84. DR. CULLEN No, Edward -- the tracker thinks you won't leave Bella. He'll follow you. ALICE I'll go with Bella. Jasper and I will drive her south. (facing him) I'll keep her safe, Edward. Edward agonizes. Frustrated. Alice steps forward. EDWARD (studies her, torn) Can you keep your thoughts to yourself? She nods. An unspoken agreement. Edward finally surrenders his keys to Alice. Then he opens one of Bella's suitcases, pulling out clothes, tossing them to - EDWARD Esme, Rosalie, put these on so the tracker will pick up Bella's scent. ROSALIE (dropping the clothes) Why should I? What is she to me? Just a danger you've inflicted on us - DR. CULLEN (spinning on her) Rosalie. Bella is with Edward. She's a part of this family now. And we protect our family. She glowers, but picks up the clothes. Dr. Cullen hits the door opener and the massive METAL DOORS roll open. Dr. Cullen squeezes Edward's shoulder before he and Esme climb into the SUV. Everyone finishes loading up, climbing in cars - Amid this, Edward and Bella take a moment together. BELLA If any of you get hurt because of me - EDWARD We won't, there are five of us, two of them. When it's done, I'll come get you. He pulls her closer, looking into her eyes. EDWARD You're my life now. 85. They drink each other in, possibly for the last time... as the SUV PEELS out, WIPING THE FRAME - 107 EXT. HIGHWAY, PACIFIC NORTHWEST - DAWN 107 The sun begins to rise on the empty road as a sleek, black MERCEDES SEDAN with dark tinted windows BLASTS through frame - 108 INT. MERCEDES - SAME 108 Jasper drives, Alice in the passenger seat. Bella is in the back, her eyes red from crying. She talks on her cell phone - BELLA Mom, it's me again. You must have let your phone die. Anyway, I'm not in Forks anymore but I'm okay. I'll explain when you call. She hangs up, then faces back out the window, watching the green, misty Olympic Peninsula speed past. Off Bella's face - A SERIES OF DISSOLVES THROUGHOUT THE DAY, THEN THE NIGHT -- show us the landscape as it changes from dark green forests to stretches of grassy hillsides, to drier, browner surroundings, until night falls and headlights lights flash by us. Finally, we land in.. . 109 OMITTED 109 110 EXT. FOREST, OLYMPIC PENINSULA - DAY 110 TREES BLOW PAST US at a blinding speed as we track Edward, Rosalie, and Emmett who dart in and out of frame, blasting through the misty woods, Edward, the fastest, in the lead. Edward stops, trying to read his enemy's thoughts. Rosalie tears a tiny swatch of her shirt, leaves it on a FLOWERING MAPLE TREE. And then they're gone. 111 OMITTED 111 112 EXT. ANOTHER PART OF THE WOODS - DAY 112 Esme and Dr. Cullen crouch atop a hill, looking down at the river. In the distance, below, they SEE - THEIR POV - ON THE LAKE - VICTORIA jogs into view. She then looks in their direction. Once Dr. Cullen and Esme are assured she has their scent, they continue over the hill's crest. 113 OMITTED 113 114 EXT. FOREST, OLYMPIC PENINSULA - DAY 114 86. James blasts past the FLOWERING MAPLE -- then stops, backtracks to the tree, finds the tiny swatch of fabric. He starts off again.. . but stops, smells the fabric. Something's not right. He runs back in the opposite direction... Uh oh.. . SMASH TO: 115 INT. SCOTTSDALE HOTEL - BEDROOM - LATE AFTERNOON 115 ON BELLA'S FACE: her eyes pop open. She's lying atop a bed, fully clothed. She rises, reorienting. 116 INT. SCOTTSDALE HOTEL - LIVING ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON 116 The blinds are pulled. Alice and Jasper stare blankly at a T.V. set. Several plates of food crowd a table. Alice looks up as Bella enters, looking at her cell phone. BELLA I wish he'd call. ALICE You should eat. But Bella ignores the food. She sits heavily. BELLA They could get hurt. It's not worth it. JASPER (insistent) Yes. It is. She's taken aback. It's the first time he's engaged with her. JASPER Edward's changed since he found you. And none of us want to look into his eyes for the next hundred years if he loses you. (he looks forward again) It's worth it. Suddenly, Alice REELS. Jasper goes to her, Bella follows. JASPER What do you see? ALICE (with deep worry) The tracker. He just changed course.. . Jasper quickly sets a pad of paper and pencil in front of her. 87. JASPER Where will it take him, Alice? PUSH IN ON ALICE'S FACE as we- FLASH POP TO - JAMES A disorienting vision of him standing in a room full of.. . ALICE Mirrors. It's a room of mirrors. Alice begins to draw at HYPER SPEED, closing her eyes, trying to see it clearly. BELLA How do the visions work? Edward said they weren't always certain. JASPER She sees the course people are on, while they're on it. If they change their minds, the visions change. Bella looks over Alice's shoulder to see the drawing. BELLA So the course James is on now will lead him to... a ballet studio? ALICE (looks up at her) You've been here? BELLA No. I don't know. I used to take ballet lessons as a kid. The school had an arch like that. JASPER Was your school here in Phoenix? BELLA Yeah, around the corner from my house. But I haven't been there in ten years. JASPER Do you have any reason to go now? BELLA No. Hell, no. I hated the place. Alice and Jasper share a look, trying to figure this out. Suddenly, Bella JUMPS as her cell phone RINGS. She picks it up. Sees the caller I.D. and exhales relief. She answers.. . 88. BELLA Edward. Are you alright? INTERCUT WITH: 117 INT. JEEP/EXT. WASHINGTON ROAD - DAY 117 Dr. Cullen drives the Jeep, fast, Emmett in the back, Edward in the passenger seat on his cell phone. EDWARD I'm coming to get you. (hates having to say this) We lost the tracker. The woman is still in the area. Rosalie and Esme are protecting your father. BELLA (sinking) This is my fault. You warned me, but I didn't think. I just.. . EDWARD Bella, we're in too deep. We can't change how we feel.. . BELLA No... we can't. (then) When will you get here? EDWARD In a couple hours. Then you and I will go somewhere. Together. The others will keep hunting. (then, determined) Bella, I swear to you, I'll do whatever it takes to make you safe again. Off Bella, her eyes welling.. . 118 EXT. SCOTTSDALE HOTEL - DAY 118 SEE Alice in the lobby, settling the bill. Jasper loads up the car out front. 119 INT. SCOTTSDALE HOTEL - BEDROOM - DAY 119 Bella gathers her things, then her phone RINGS again. INSERT CALLER I.D. -It reads “HOME.” Bella answers - BELLA Mom, I'm so glad you got my - - 89. RENE (O.S. ) (panicked) Bella? Bella? Where are you? BELLA Calm down, Mom. Everything is fine, okay? I'll explain every - HEAR RUSTLING on the line, as if Rene dropped the phone. BELLA ... Mom? Are you there? Then Bella HEARS a voice that sends a chill down her spine - JAMES (O.S. ) Nice house you have here. Not the best on the block, but comfortable. INTERCUT WITH: 120 INT. RENE'S HOUSE, PHOENIX - DAY 120 VERY CLOSE ON JAMES, his sinister eyes and vicious smile. JAMES I was prepared to wait for you. But then Mom came home after she received a very worried call from your Dad. It all worked out quite well. Bella's eyes are wild with fear. JAMES I must say, Forks High School doesn't protect its students' privacy very well. It was just too easy for Victoria to find your previous address. RENE (O.S. ) Bella? Bella?.. . BELLA Leave my mother out of this. JAMES You're protective of her. That's nice. You can still save her. But you'll need to get away from your friends. Can you do that? BELLA I... don't think so. 90. JAMES If your mother's life depends on it? Bella is terrified, but there's no choice here. BELLA Where should I meet you? James grins as he fingers a PHOTO of Bella that's attached to the refrigerator with a magnet. It's the same photo Charlie has of her, age 7, in a tutu, sitting on the floor. JAMES The old ballet studio around the corner. And I'll know if you bring anyone along. Poor mommy would pay the price for that mistake. (sniffs the air) She smells like you. Delicious. STAY ON BELLA as she hangs up, panicked. She starts flinging open drawers, searching for a weapon - a pen, a sewing kit. Useless. Then she remembers.. . Her purse. She dumps out the contents, and FINDS the pepper spray Charlie gave her. She clings to it, her only protection now. 121 OMITTED 121 122 OMITTED 122 123 OMITTED 123 124 OMITTED 124 125 OMITTED 125 126 OMITTED 126 127 INT./EXT. SCOTTSDALE HOTEL - TWILIGHT - DRIVING 127 Bella walks through the lobby, scanning for Jasper and Alice. She spots them outside under the porte cacher, loading the Mercedes, deep in a heated discussion. She slips out the opposite door, rushes toward a Taxi and jumps in, closes the door. The DRIVER is an elderly woman with a hacking COUGH. BELLA (taking a breath for courage) 8th and Palo Verde, please. The taxi pulls out. Bella watches the hotel disappear. Off her FACE IN THE REAR WINDOW.. . 91. BELLA (V.O. ) I've never given much thought to how I would die.. . 128 EXT. SCOTTSDALE HOTEL - NIGHT - BELLA'S POV 128 Once again, we see the polished malls, the manicured cactus gardens. All empty for the night. BELLA (V.O. ) But dying in the place of someone I love seems like a good way to go.. . 129 OMITTED 129 130 OMITTED 130 131 EXT. MIMI'S SCHOOL OF DANCE - NIGHT 131 Bella climbs out of the taxi. It pulls away, leaving her on the curb facing the deserted building. Bella twirls her mother's ring around her finger, then reaches for the pepper spray. BELLA (V.O. ) I can't bring myself to regret the decisions that brought me face to face with death... they also brought me to Edward. She slips the pepper spray into her jeans pocket. She wraps her purse strap around her wrist. She takes a breath, approaches the school. Peers in the windows. The blinds are drawn. But from inside, we HEAR a faint sound.. . RENE (O.S. ) Bella? Bella? It's time. Bella goes to the front door. It's unlocked. 132 OMITTED 132 133 INT. MIMI'S SCHOOL OF DANCE - STUDIO - NIGHT 133 Bella cautiously enters this grand, empty room of mirrors. A ballet bar wraps around the walls - - RENE (O.S. ) Bella, where are you? Bella whirls, trying to find its source. She follows the sound to a cleaning supply CLOSET. She throws open the door to FIND - A T.V. - ON SCREEN A VIDEO PLAYS - Bella, age 7, hides in the very closet the T.V. is in now. Little Bella looks up at us. 92. RENE (O.S. ) Don't you want to dance, baby? Little Bella shakes her head stubbornly. The frame jiggles as Rene hands someone the camera. Rene, ten years younger, appears on screen and kneels next to Bella. BELLA Everyone makes fun of me. RENE But you're a wonderful dancer. BELLA Mom, I suck. LAUGHTER behind Bella. She spins, trying to locate James in the mirrors. JAMES That's my favorite part. Stubborn child, weren't you? Bella's face flushes with rage... and relief. BELLA She's not here. JAMES Sorry. But you really made it too easy. Visible in the mirror, he sighs, disappointed. Then he steps up next to her and points a VIDEO CAMERA at Bella. JAMES So to make things more entertaining, I'm going to make a little film of our time together. Borrowed this from your house. Hope you don't mind. (turns it on) And... action! Bella FLINGS her purse at him, and runs for the door. JAMES Excellent! An escape attempt. Suddenly, he's right behind her. She freezes. JAMES It'll break Edward's little heart. He smells her hair. Touches her throat. BELLA Edward has nothing to do with this. 93. JAMES He will. His rage will make for more interesting sport than his feeble attempt to protect you. He's having too much fun to notice --the peppers spray in her hand. She spins around and sprays him. Then she runs, as James REELS back briefly. But he leaps over her and lands RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER. Amused, he flings her across the floor like a bowling ball. She SMASHES hard into a mirrored column. James captures it on film. JAMES Beautiful! Very visually dynamic. I chose my stage well. He advances toward her. JAMES Still stubborn, aren't you? Is that what makes you special? Because frankly, I don't see it. He inhales as if he can taste her already - JAMES Too bad he didn't have the strength to turn you. Instead, he kept you this fragile little human. It's cruel, really. James flips on the camera, but the lens is coated with pepper spray. He tries to wipe it off. JAMES Well done! You've succeeded in annoying me. He STOMPS on her shin! HEAR her tibia SNAP! Bella SCREAMS in agony. JAMES Tell Edward how much it hurts. Abruptly, the camera is in her face - JAMES Tell him to avenge you. BELLA No! Edward, don't.. . 94. James inhales as her blood pools. He leans in, hungry. Bella, half-conscious, watches him turn the camera on his own face - VIDEO CAMERA'S POV - ECU ON JAMES' FACE JAMES Cut! The end. Suddenly -- JAMES IS KNOCKED OUT OF FRAME! He rises to find himself face to face with Edward. James CHARGES Edward, forcing him up against a column. JAMES You're alone... because you're faster than the others. But not stronger. James SMASHES Edward's face into the mirror until it cracks. EDWARD I'm strong enough to kill you. Edward FLINGS James backwards -- SMASHING through a freestanding mirror -- into the doorway. He scoops Bella up and leaps toward the balcony exit door -- when suddenly he and Bella are JERKED downward. James YANKS Edward violently onto the floor -- KNOCKING Bella out of his arms -- as James FLINGS Edward up into the top window -- EMBEDDING him in the casement and bricks. James crouches beside Bella. He grabs her HAND - Looking directly at Edward with a sinister grin -- he SINKS HIS TEETH into Bella's hand! She SCREAMS in agony. Edward's rage ERUPTS -- he climbs out of the window casement and SUICIDE-DIVE-BOMBS James, savagely PLOWING him through the floorboards. ON BELLA -- as the venom travels through her veins. BELLA'S POV - dark figures twist and fight, in and out of focus. Her eyes suddenly POP OPEN to see the EXPLOSIVE RAW REALITY of James KICKING Edward, delivering death blows when - - Suddenly Edward's hand SHOOTS UP and GRABS James' ankle. Edward ROARS up to his feet and SWINGS James around like a baseball bat, SMASHING him into mirror after mirror. James is battered, beaten. Bella moans -- and the sound of her pain slices through Edward. In an animalistic fury, Edward BITES OFF a piece of James' flesh .. . 95. WHIP PAN from Bella's horrified face to DR. CULLEN --now standing beside Edward, placing a hand on his son's shoulder. Edward turns to see his father -- and EMMETT, JASPER, and ALICE, dropping down from the balcony. Edward's expression changes --he realizes he's gone too far. He backs off as his siblings crouch into attack mode and LUNGE at James like a pack of animals. Dr. Cullen rushes to the injured Bella who SCREAMS again in pain. Edward dashes toward her - - BELLA'S POV -ON THE THREE CULLEN SIBLINGS, going in and out of focus... it almost looks like a tribal dance as they rip out the floorboards and build a fire ... it's like a funeral pyre as they rip James apart, throwing limbs into the fire.. . BACK ON BELLA -- as Edward reaches her side. Dr. Cullen works fast to assess her wounds, focusing on a massive bleed from her leg. But clearly her hand hurts the most. She writhes in pain. INTERCUT BELLA'S DISORIENTED POV WITH THE CHAOTIC REALITY: Dr. Cullen applies pressure to the gash on her thigh - - DR. CULLEN Her femoral artery's been severed. She's losing too much blood - BELLA It's on fire! My hand! EDWARD Venom - - DR. CULLEN (working on Bella) You have to make a choice. Either let the change happen - EDWARD No! BELLA'S POV -ALICE appears behind Edward, fuzzy, indistinct. ALICE It's going to happen. I've seen it - EDWARD It doesn't have to be that way. DR. CULLEN Alice, find me a tourniquet. A rag, a shirt. 96. Alice holds her nose and avoids the blood as she rips the sleeve off her blouse and kneels to aid Dr. Cullen. BELLA It's burning! EDWARD What's the other choice? You said - DR. CULLEN (to Alice) Tighter, above the knee - EDWARD Carlisle. DR. CULLEN You can try to suck the venom out. EDWARD I -- won't be able to stop - DR. CULLEN Find the will to stop. But choose, she only has minutes left. Edward looks down at Bella, thrashing in pain. Finally, Edward takes her hand. She tries to pull it away. EDWARD It's alright, Bella. I'll make it go away. He looks at her - then starts to suck the venom from her hand. They never take their eyes off one another, the connection palpable, intense.. . CLOSE ON BELLA'S EYES -wild with pain. But subsiding.. . CLOSE ON EDWARD'S EYES -the frenzy has begun. He sucks harder. Hungrily. Anguished, he wants to stop but can't. Dr. Cullen's voice sounds miles away.. . DR. CULLEN Stop. Her blood is clean, you're killing her. -- but the bloodlust is too strong. He is killing her. Bella looks at him, forgivingly, as she begins to lose consciousness.. . BELLA'S POV -ON EDWARD -growing blurry... he disappears into the blinding light. It's as if she's underwater, like her dreams.. . BELLA (V.O. ) Death is peaceful. Easy. 97. Bella starts to float away... we're losing her.. . Suddenly from the darkness, Edward reaches out a hand.. . A brilliant light flares.. . 134 BELLA'S FACE APPEARS IN THE WHITENESS Eyes closed. But they slowly open. She squints at the light. BELLA Life... is harder.. . An oxygen tube rests under her nose. She reaches for it, confused. A hand stops her as her surroundings come into focus. RENE (O.S. ) You're awake, baby! You're okay!! ! INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY Bella lies in a hospital bed. Bandaged, leg in a cast. In bad shape. Rene hovers over her, tears in her eyes. On the dresser, SEE get well cards and a PHOTO MONTAGE of her friends from Forks. BELLA Edward? Where's - RENE He's asleep. She nods across the room to a chair in which Edward “sleeps. ” RENE He never leaves. And your dad's down in the cafeteria. BELLA What... happened? RENE Baby, you fell down two flights of stairs and through a window. Bella is drawing a blank, confused. Rene jogs her memory - RENE Edward came here to convince you to come back to Forks. His father brought him down. You went to their hotel but you tripped on the stairs. A moment... then Bella realizes it's a cover story. She nods. BELLA Sounds like me. 98. Rene's cell phone BEEPS. She opens it. Reads a text, starts typing in a reply. RENE It's Phil. He's worried about you. BELLA Mom, you're... texting. RENE (smiling) I told him to stay in Florida. The Suns signed him! BELLA That's great mom. RENE Jacksonville is always sunny and you'll have your own bathroom.. . BELLA Mom, wait. I want to live in Forks. I have Dad.. . (re: the get well cards) ... and friends.. . RENE (re: Edward) And he's there. Bella shrugs, conceding the truth. RENE Charlie doesn't like him. Blames him for your leaving. BELLA What do you think? RENE (lowering her voice) I think that boy is in love with you. Bella smiles. Rene grins. Bella glances at Edward. BELLA Um, Mom, would you mind getting Dad? I want to talk to him. Apologize. RENE I'm sure he doesn't care about that, Baby. But I‘ll go get him. 99. Rene kisses Bella's forehead. Exits. Bella watches her go. The door shutting behind her. Bella turns back to find Edward standing next to her with deep concern. Her eyes well. He kisses her forehead soothingly. BELLA Is James - did you -- ? EDWARD We took care of him. And the woman, Victoria, she ran off. She closes her eyes with relief, then looks at him. BELLA I'm alive because of you. EDWARD (darkens) You're in here because of me. Her wounds cause him pain. He strokes her face. EDWARD The worst of it... was thinking I couldn't stop - BELLA But you did. EDWARD Bella, you should go to Jacksonville. Where I can't hurt you anymore.. . BELLA What? No! I want to be with you! I don't want - EDWARD (sitting next to her) Sssh. It's alright. I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here.. . He wraps an arm around her. As she curls up in his arms.. . DISSOLVE TO: 135 EXT. FORKS, WASHINGTON - LATE AFTERNOON 135 An AERIAL SWEEP over the lush green forests. We're back in the misty, damp beauty of the Pacific Northwest.. . 100. 136 EXT. CHARLIE'S HOUSE - BEAUTIFUL LATE AFTERNOON 136 At a picnic table, Charlie cleans a fish with a big knife. Edward waits awkwardly near his Volvo, dressed in an elegant suit. But even calm Edward is unnerved by Charlie's glare. The front door opens and they look up to see - BELLA --framed in the doorway in a stunning long dress. Edward is enchanted. Bella descends the steps with difficulty, due to her LEG CAST. Charlie edges out Edward to help her down. BELLA Alice lent me the dress. It was the only thing that would fit over my cast. Is it too... ? EDWARD You're perfect... I'll take good care of her, Chief. CHARLIE Heard that before. Edward moves to open the car door. Charlie holds Bella back. CHARLIE (sotto) I put new pepper spray in your bag. BELLA Dad. CHARLIE ... and... you look beautiful. Father and daughter share a smile.. . 137 EXT./INT. MANSION, VIEW POINT INN - TWILIGHT 137 Edward's Volvo pulls up to this lovely inn. He helps Bella out of the car, and begins to guide her through the dining room. Mr. Molina and other teachers are there. We may notice the back of a Redhead, mingling with the chaperones. BELLA I can't believe you're making me do this. He just grins. Edward guides her around a corner to.. . 138 EXT. MANSION BACKYARD (CONTINUOUS) - TWILIGHT 138 THE PROM - Monte Carlo style. Gaming tables and roulette wheels. Guys in tuxes and girls in gowns gamble for prizes, dance and socialize. 101. BELLA You really are trying to kill me. EDWARD Prom is an important rite of passage. I don't want you to miss anything. She can't be mad at him, just shakes her head affectionately. They continue into the prom. Several heads turn. Bella sees - THE DANCE FLOOR, where a gap has formed. In the middle, two couples whirl gracefully. It's Alice and Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett, looking absolutely stunning. Rosalie glances over; indifference has replaced fury. But Alice waves brightly. Bella returns it with a smile as we hear a crossfade into the next track- BELLA'S POV -- THE DJ BOOTH - It's Eric at the turntables, making the room bounce! Next to him, Angela wears the headphones, flipping through a stack of vinyl. They nod at Bella -- she shoots them a smile when - - A FLASHBULB gets her attention - BELLA'S POV - PHOTOGRAPHER'S STATION Mike and Jessica stand in front of an Aston Martin cut-out. Bella catches their eye -- Mike does his best James Bond impersonation. Jessica poses like Pussy Galore. Edward smirks, then turns to Bella - EDWARD Shall we? BELLA (laughs, then realizes) You're serious. He doesn't wait for an answer, more or less CARRIES her to the DANCE FLOOR -- then places her feet atop his own... and starts to move. She actually begins to enjoy it. EDWARD See? You're dancing. BELLA At prom. As they dance, she feels his grace, his strength. Becomes thoughtful. Finally, she looks at him. 102. BELLA Edward... why did you save me? (off his questioning look) If you'd let the venom spread, I could've been like you by now. EDWARD (stops, horrified) You don't know what you're saying. You don't want this. BELLA I want you. Always. EDWARD (angry) I won't end your life for you. He keeps dancing, slowly, hoping his was the last word. BELLA I'm dying anyway. Every minute, I get closer, older EDWARD That's how it's supposed to happen. BELLA Not the way Alice saw it. (off his sharp look) I heard her. She saw me like you. EDWARD Her visions change, Bella. BELLA Based on what someone decides. And I've decided. He looks at her, angry. EDWARD Is that what you dream about? Becoming a monster? BELLA I dream about being with you forever. EDWARD You really want this? BELLA Yes. He lowers his lips to her neck. One bite is all it would take. 103. EDWARD You're ready right now? BELLA Yes. His lips hover over her skin, a long beat... then he presses his lips to her throat. Not a bite. A kiss. He looks at her. EDWARD You're going to have a long and happy life with me. Isn't that enough? She looks at him... and finally smiles. BELLA For now. They WHIRL around, gliding on his grace, never looking away from one another, as we CRANE UP on them, in each other's arms.. . BELLA (V.O.) No one will surrender tonight. But I won't give in. I know what I want. CONTINUE UP AND BACK on the dance floor. We realize .. ... someone's watching it, looking down from the window of a second floor hotel room in the Inn. The MUSIC wafting up in echoes. PULL BACK to REVEAL.. VICTORIA, turning from the window. She's stylishly dressed now, but seething -- a low, sinister SNARL in the back of her throat. PUSH IN FAST ON HER FACE, AND INTO HER BURGUNDY EYES filled with vengeance as we - SMASH TO BLACK.

#bbterra #antibbrae

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