Special NLB Twilight Soiree – Discussion 3
Please… Let it be quick…
He stepped back, and began to circle, casually, as if he were trying to get a better view of a statue in a museum. His face was still open and friendly as he decided where to start.
Then he slumped forward, into a crouch I recognized, and his pleasant smile slowly widened, grew, till it wasn’t a smile at all but a contortion of teeth, exposed and glistening.
I couldn’t help myself – I tried to run. As useless as I knew it would be, as weak as my knees already were, panic took mover and I bolted for the emergency door.
He was in front of me in a flash. I didn’t see if he used his hand or his foot, it was too fast. A crushing blow struck my chest – I felt myself flying backward, and then heard the crunch as my head bashed into the mirrors. The glass buckled, some of the pieces shattering and splintering on the floor beside me.
I was too stunned to feel the pain. I couldn’t breathe yet.
He walked toward me slowly.
“That’s a very nice effect,” he said, examining the mess of glass, his voice friendly again. “I thought this room would be visually dramatic for my little film. That’s why I picked this place to meet you. It’s perfect isn’t it?”
I ignored him, scrambling on my hands and knees, crawling toward the other door.
He was over me at once, his foot stepping down hard on my leg. I heard the sickening snap before I felt it. But then I did feel it, and I couldn’t hold back my scream of agony. I twisted up to reach for my leg, and he was standing over me, smiling.
“Would you like to rethink your last request?” he asked pleasantly. His toe nudged my broken leg and I heard a piercing scream. With a shock, I realized it was mine.
“Wouldn’t you rather have Edward try to find me?” he prompted.
“No!” I croaked. “No, Edward, don’t – “ And then something smashed into my face, throwing me back into the broken mirrors.
Over the pain of my leg, I felt the sharp rip across my scalp where the glass cut into it. And then the warm wetness began to spread through my hair with alarming speed. I could feel it soaking the shoulder of my shirt, hear it dripping on the wood below. The smell of it twisted my stomach.
Through the nausea and dizziness I saw something that gave me a sudden, final shred of hope. His eyes, merely intent before, now burned with an uncontrollable need. The blood – spreading crimson across my white shirt, pooling rapidly on the floor – was driving him mad with thirst. No matter his original intentions, he couldn’t draw this out much longer.
Let it be quick now, was all I could hope as the flow of blood from my head sucked my consciousness away with it. My eyes were closing.
I heard, as if from underwater, the final growl of the hunter. I could see, through the long tunnels my eyes had become, his dark shape coming toward me. With my last effort, my hand instinctively raised to protect my face. My eyes were closed, and I drifted.
Extract from the book Twilight
By Stephenie Meyer
All Rights Reserved.
New York: Little, Brown and Co., 2005
Call Number: Y English MEY
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What do you think about people who derive pleasure from torture?
December 4th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
I think people who derive pleasure from torture are evil and inhuman people. As a mature human being, we should not be torturing other people. Instead, we should be friendly towards other people. According to the extract from the book Twilight, James was hungry for Bella’s blood and he called Bella to the studio room. Unknowingly, Bella was being tortured. This is an unkind act. He did not think about other people’s feelings. We should not be torturing other people.
December 4th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
It is immoral, but not inhuman. People do it every day and though it sucks, its inevitable(meaning it can’t be avoided;it’s gonna happen.) Also, though it was terrible of him, you haave to admit James’ plan was ingenious. Using her mother against her, using the abandoned bellet room. He’s still an ass, though.
December 4th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
sorry.