Chapter 23

           AsIdrifted,Idreamed.

           WhereIfloated,underthedarkwater,Iheardthehappiestsoundmymindcouldconjureup-asbeautiful,asuplifting,asitwasghastly.Itwasanothersnarl;adeeper,wilderroarthatrangwithfury.

           Iwasbroughtback,almosttothesurface,byasharppainslashingmy

           upraisedhand,butIcouldn’tfindmywaybackfarenoughtoopenmyeyes.

           AndthenIknewIwasdead.

           Because,throughtheheavywater,Iheardthesoundofanangelcallingmyname,callingmetotheonlyheavenIwanted.

           "Ohno,Bella,no!"theangel’svoicecriedinhorror.

           Behindthatlonged-forsoundwasanothernoise-anawfultumultthatmymindshiedawayfrom.Aviciousbassgrowling,ashockingsnappingsound,andahighkeening,suddenlybreakingoff...

           Itriedtoconcentrateontheangel’svoiceinstead.

           "Bella,please!Bella,listentome,please,please,Bella,please!"hebegged.

           Yes,Iwantedtosay.Anything.ButIcouldn’tfindmylips.

           "Carlisle!"theangelcalled,agonyinhisperfectvoice."Bella,Bella,no,ohplease,no,no!"Andtheangelwassobbingtearless,brokensobs.

           Theangelshouldn’tweep,itwaswrong.Itriedtofindhim,totellhimeverythingwasfine,butthewaterwassodeep,itwaspressingonme,andIcouldn’tbreathe.

           Therewasapointofpressureagainstmyhead.Ithurt.Then,asthatpainbrokethroughthedarknesstome,otherpainscame,strongerpains.Icriedout,gasping,breakingthroughthedarkpool.

           "Bella!"theangelcried.