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All I can think is too slow, I’s burn It feels like I can’t breathe I want to screahth My heel hits the floor hard and I slip Frantically, ain my balance In that moment, Edward catches my elbow and ripsatinto my arms and it feels like he’ll crush e His eyes are narrow and dark Without warning, Edward releases me and throws me into the wall

My head hits the plaster hard, but I don’t feel it Adrenaline is puh me I should be able to toss a dumpster like a superhero, but I can barely stand up Terror courses throughme whole It makes my movements erratic, like I can’t decide what to do or when I twitch against the wall, and then try to go for the front door again Edward blockshis assetsto learn, Anna?" he growls atmy robe A sob bubbles up ripsthem to the wall above my head I can’t move

I take a few breaths to steady s, hoping James is home and that he can hear me over the TV Last ti But before I can exhale, Edward’s massive palm covers my mouth I scream into his hand I use my free hand to try and pry him off of me, but he doesn’tto break free I can’t stand it My heart is racing so hard that it’s going to explode I don’t think I act I listen to the crazy girl insideme to bite down and lock my jaw I listen to her when she says to take ht into Edward’s eyes

I bite and scratch Edward yells, and shovesacross the hall and land hard onhis hand to his eye I don’t want to see the blood on his pal in my mouth I know I o to the kitchen to look for a weapon Backing rab a knife off the counter I’ by the tih there’s a knife in , sharp one that Emma uses to cut up chicken I don’t want to kill Emma’s brother with her chicken knife, but I don’t knohat else to do Part of me thinks he’ll stop, but the more feral part of me senses that he’ll never stop

I clutch the knife harder "I swear to God, I’ll stab you Stay the fuck away fro his blood out onto the floor when it leaks into my mouth as I speak A streak of his blood hs, like I’m a child and he can do whatever the hell he wants "You really intend to cut me?"

"You really intend to rape es to look insulted He steps toward me and presses his hand to his chest "Rape you? That’s what you think this is?"

"Yes, you crazy fucking bastard," I growl, ai the tip of the knife at his heart I wonder if I should be ai for his stomach, but I don’t move My elbows lock If he comes at me… Oh God

He talks to me like I’m a child, too na&iu, put down the knife and we can talk about this You obviously can’t tell, but I wouldn’t let anything happen to you You’re s that way" He steps towardhis hand, he says, "Give it to me, now"

I press my body backwards, but hit the cabinets The draw pulls bite intoopen, but can’t look I don’t move Edward’s eyes lock with mine He moves towards me He’s too close I jab the knife at him when he’s within an inch of me

Edward stops He lifts his hands like he surrenders "Anna, please You know me You knoouldn’t hurt you"

"Then leave" My ar the shake, but my hands hold onto the knife like rowls "I can’t let you continue to act this way Give me the knife or I’ll take it from you"

"You’ll have to kill me first--"

Edward rolls his eyes, "You are so daes at me

I don’t want to stab him He’s my best friend’s brother It makes my arms turn to jelly when he slarabs o of the knife The blade is streaked with criainst the counter, forcing me to drop the blade It clatters as I watch in horror Then, Edward reaches to pick it up My pulse is pounding inat ht and bursting with panic

I press ainst the cabinets and slip past hirab the knife I’ me into his arms, he turns me to face the counter top and presses the knife to o still in his arms If I move, he’ll slice my throat I knoill Tears roll down my cheeks and I can’t stop them