A Sacrifice

⚠️ TW: Mention of Rape ⚠️

I sat across from Rosalie in the tent, feeling extremely awkward. Seth had gone to patrol the area and so we were stuck together.

I felt Rosalie's glare locked on me as I shuffled my feet against the canvas tent. I didn't dare look up at her in fear of her saying something cruel.

"Bella," Rosalie spoke for the first time in hours, "I'm sorry. I know you can't help being... you, but you can't understand how much pain it brings me to watch you throw everything you have as a human away."

"You sound like Edward," I scoffed.

"Well, Edward's right, as much as I hate to admit it. I had my humanity stolen away from me, and yet here you are freely giving up the thing I want most. You'll never understand what that feels like." She said seriously.

She was bringing up the same points as when we were in the forest. I felt like we were running around in circles. "Why don't you help me understand Rosalie because I won't be changing my mind. I will never feel how you feel. I will never be as bitter and- and sad as you are!" I spat sourly, knowing I had gone too far as soon as I saw Rosalie's face.

She looked at me furiously, "Bella, you will never understand what I went through the night of my change, and I'm honestly relieved at that. No one deserves what I went through. No one." She spoke slowly, enunciating every word clearly so I couldn't misinterpret it.

The tent went silent, the only sound was the wind blowing outside. Rosalie took a deep breath.

"I was raped, Bella." Rosalie said barely above a whisper.

I felt my eyes go wide, and my stomach turned at the thought of someone - of Rosalie - going through that. I felt awful for what I had said. "I'm so sorry! I had no idea! I would never have said-"

Rose held up her hand to stop my profuse apologies, "I never would've expected you to know. It's not something I discuss openly. I just want you to understand why I am so bitter."

I was silent. I didn't know what more to say.

"I lived in a much simpler time," Rosalie began, "One where women were expected to marry rich and have children with their husband's. I wanted nothing more. My fiance's name was... Roy. We were the most esteemed couple. We were perfect in every way."

She stopped for a moment. I watched her breath deeply she looked down at her thumbs and twiddled them for a moment before continuing.

"It was late. I was just returning from a friend's house... Roy called me over. He was with a group of his friends, and they were all clearly intoxicated. I went over to see him, and I'm sure you can piece together what happened from there." She paused again, "Carlisle found me bleeding in the street. I don't blame him for what he did. I understand why he did it of course, but I just... I should have died there. I did die there."

"Rose, I-" I began to apologize.

She stopped me talking again, "I'm not searching for your pity, Bella. I'm living the best life I could possibly ask for as an immortal, Emmett is my everything, but it's just not what I wanted. All I want is for you to be certain of yourself before you turn because I didn't get the choice."

I shook my head trying to organize my thoughts. I wasn't sure what more to say. What should one say during a situation like this?

"Just promise me you'll think over your options."

"I promise."

"Thanks," she said flatly.

We fell into silence again. This time it lasted for what felt like forever. I sat on my side of the tent pretending to read. I couldn't focus on my book, the thoughts swarming my head were too distracting.

A sudden, loud growl shattered the silence. I jumped at the noise. Rosalie sat up in a flash and was unzipping the tent in an instant.

"Stay here!" She demanded before exiting.

I was fully intending to stay were I was, but I heard Jasper yell outside. I recognized his voice and I was quickly on my feet.

I lingered by the tent as I watched the Jasper, and a red-haired woman battle. They knocked over trees and crushed boulders beneath them. Rosalie and Seth were no where in sight.

I hadn't been spotted yet. I just watched on in horror as they sparred. They were a blur of red and blonde as they moved around each other.

I couldn't tell who was winning or losing. All I could hear was their growls. They didn't stop for what felt like hours. I heard Jasper yell out in pain, and I moved forward a few feet without thinking. My stomach sunk as I realized Jasper was losing.

Victoria threw him into the side of a cliff, making rocks rain down on top of him. I gasped and began moving closer, thinking desperately of a way to help him.

Victoria bit into him and I heard him scream again. He pushed her away, but she took a piece of his shoulder with her.

I desperately scanned the area for something that could possibly help Jasper. I wracked my brain. What could stop this? What could distract her? What distracted vampires?

Blood.

My blood.

I looked around the ground. I searched for something sharp enough to draw blood. I grabbed a rock with a sharp edge and hoped it would be enough. I took a deep breath and plunged it into my forearm. I cut myself deep and blood erupted from my wound. I gasped at the horrific pain in my arm, and with shaky hands I dropped the rock back onto the ground, it was painted crimson with blood. I was dizzy and felt as if I might faint.

The world seemed to slow around me. I saw Victoria turn around. I heard Jasper scream my name. Victoria rushed at me and Jasper followed close behind. She was a few feet away when Jasper jumped on top of her, and with one swift tug her head was pulled from her shoulders.

He ripped her body into pieces quickly. He was growling wildly. Her body sounded like rock cracking every time she was ripped apart. When he was finally satisfied he pulled a lighter from his pocket and set her remains on fire.

He was by my side before I could comprehend what was happening. He pulled me away from the flames and into his protective arms. We both watched the fire for a few moments before Jasper moved. He took his shirt - what remained of his shirt - and wrapped it around the open wound on my arm.

"Bella," He breathed, "what were you thinking? She could've killed you."

"I couldn't let her hurt you." I whispered, hoping he wouldn't be mad.

He didn't respond, instead he finished the makeshift bandage and pulled me into a hug. I gripped him tightly and took in his scent, it was tinged with the scent of dirt and my blood, but it calmed me regardless.

"She's dead, Bella. She's dead. They're all dead." He repeated softly. I could feel his exhaustion, pain, and relief coming off him in waves.

"Are you okay?" I asked worriedly.

"I'm fine." He promised me. "How's your arm?"

"Sore, but fine."

"Good." He nodded.

"Is everyone else okay?" I asked.

"I'm not sure. They were all alive when I left, but now... I can't be sure." He said with a worried look.

"We should go." I suggested. My stomach turned. If anyone were to die because of me I would never be able to forgive myself.

Jasper nodded his head.