So, this is my first Fanfiction story. I hope it goes well! Just bear with me OK? Enjoy!
Disclaimer - I don't own Twilight. The lucky Stephenie Meyer does *mutters 'lucky bitch' under breath* ;)
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Chapter 1 - Bella POV
*Ring ring*
Is that my damn alarm clock already? Fuck. I roll onto my stomach and bash the annoying clock on its stupid head. With a groan I realize it's time to get up and get ready for work. I wriggle out of my comfy, duvet nest and shuffle out of the bedroom door, probably looking like a zombie. A zombie with bad hair and extra smelly breath. I knew that taco for dinner last night was a bad idea.
Once I've showered and dressed in my apron for working in Fork's only diner, I brush my teeth and begin to try and tame the lions mane on my head. I fail. Miserably. My hair ends up in it's normal, low ponytail.
And to be honest, I like it that way. Normal. Not fancy, or stunning, or weird. Just normal and boring because that's how my life is. I check the time and rush downstairs to get some breakfast. I almost crash into Charlie in my haste to quench the hunger of my belly-monster.
"Whoa, steady there, Bells," Charlie chuckles as he steadies me on my feet. I've always been clumsy - just like him.
"Sorry Dad," I apologize. I'm not allowed to call him Charlie to his face. That one is a no-no. "I'm kinda late for work," I smile sheepishly. Charlie laughs and scratches his head.
"OK, Bells, I won't stop you from trampling everything in your path," He laughs amusingly. I pull a face and skip round him and into the kitchen.
I hear his amused laughter float into the living room to watch TV. I roll my eyes and smile at my dad. At least he's easy to get along with. I wolf down some Golden Nuggets and pack my bag for the day.
After Charlie's police uniform is laid out for him on the kitchen chair, I shout a goodbye to Charlie - who tells me not to trip over my Bigfoot Feet - and I am outta there. At last.
My truck blunders down the highway towards the diner. I listen to the radio, but nothing catches my attention. I park my truck in my usual spot and walk up to the small diner shack.
The neon 'Fork's Diner' sign is flickering again, but that's the norm here. And I like it. I smile as I walk through the swing doors and see that the diner is almost empty.
Just a few regulars scattered here and there, sipping coffee or reading the paper. Hopefully it will stay a quiet day.
I hear hushed voices coming from behind the bar at the front of the diner. I duck under the hatch ungracefully and walk up to my best friend, Alice Brandon and my boss Sam Uley.
"Hey," I greet them, "What you guys talking about? It looks very serious," I put on a deep voice and a mock-serious face. Their grimaces turn into smiles at my stupidity.
"Oh Bella, you sure know how to cheer me up," chirps Alice, who gives my everyday morning hug. She always smells of expensive Chanel No.5 perfume, no matter how many chips she fries everyday. Sam's voice breaks through our embrace.
"Did you hear about the serial killer in Seattle, Bella?" he asks me. I nod my head a little.
"I think I heard it vaguely on the news, but I didn't pay attention. As usual," I joke. Sam laughs and sips his coffee.
"Well, there was another murder on the North side of Seattle last night. Everyone's gossiping about it. I'm just glad he ain't around here," He gives a fake shudder and I grin.
"Well, no knife-wielding killer better come near me. I have been trained by professionals and I know how to cut balls off - the extra painful way," I do a kung-fu movement with my arms. Sam and Alice grin at me and laugh.
"Bella," Alice gasps through her giggles, " You didn't really get trained to 'cut off peoples balls' did you?" She giggles. I laugh along with her.
"Nah, just kidding, but I could learn. You know, self-defense and all that shit," I joke. Sam's laughing comes to a stop and he looks at me.
"Well, I'm gonna buy some metal plates for my privates, ASAP. I never know whether you are serious or not Bella," He says mock-seriously. I roll my eyes and punch his arm.
"You know damn fine I am kidding," I assure him - and his crown jewels. Sam's a good guy and an even better boss. He treats everyone equal and keeps our salaries fair. More customers arrive then and we jump into action.
"Let's go" I tell Alice as we wield our notepads and pens.
The morning goes by quite quickly, with not too many customers. Soon, me and Alice are in the back, changing into our day clothes and listening to music.
"Where are you headed after work Bell?" Alice inquires. I shrug in response.
"I'll probably go practice my ball-chopping skills" I sigh in a dramatic way. Alice explodes with laughter in an instance.
"It is not funny, young one. The art of ball-chopping takes patience and time and practice," I say in a perfect impression of Yoda. Alice nearly falls over from the laughter that takes over her tiny frame.
"Oh God, Bella!" She wipes the tears that are streaming down her face from too much laughter.
"Aw, damn, you smudged my mascara!" she whines when she realizes it has begun to run. I roll my eyes and do a squeaky high-pitched voice impression of her whinging.
She slaps my arm and runs over to the mirror, dabbing desperately at the mascara streaks.
I walk over to her and examine her face. She looks like something out of a horror movie. I let out a snort of laughter and she turns to glare at me.
That makes me laugh harder because she looks like some human-zebra monster. My laughter erupts from the pit of my stomach until I'm laughing so hard it hurts. She scowls at me and wipes away at her monster stripes.
She eventually gets it all off and applies a fresh layer. I smile at her sweetly when she turns around.
"Glad to see my friend wasn't abducted by the Killer Zebra forever," I chortle. She tries to glare at me but ends up giggling again.
"Grr, damn you Bella Swan!. I just fixed that mess, and you're making me laugh again! Are you trying to ruin my face?" She chuckles half-seriously. I pull a somewhat serious face.
"I'm sorry Al, you know how I am," I grin at her. She grins back and we walk out of the diner together.
I wave at Alice as she pulls out of her spot in her little, yellow Ford Ka. Chirpy little pixie that she is, she just has to have the brightest car in the town, doesn't she? My smile widens as I count myself lucky to be her friend.
The rest of my drive home is quiet, as normal. I turn on the radio and listen in to the conversation they are having about this serial killer in Seattle. My face suddenly wears a huge grin as I remember the 'Ball Chopping' joke. I laugh to myself all the way home.
I busy myself making Charlie's dinner when I get home. He arrives about half six, which is quite late for him.
"Hey Dad, good day?" I ask him when he is settled at the kitchen table with a Rainier beer.
"Not bad, Bells. Did some investigating into that killer in Seattle," He informs me. "Didn't get much on him except we know he is in his mid thirties, there is one video of him from a CCTV camera and his weapons consist of a knife or a lethal injection," He says as he sips his beer.
"Damn," I whisper. "I hope the guys in Seattle can catch him," I say to Charlie. He nods simply.
"I hope so too, Bells. I've offered them our team's help anytime they need it. With such a mysterious guy that is not on our records, we can't risk anything. And they will need all the help they can get," He tells me solemnly.
I serve up dinner and the rest of the evening is relatively quiet. Charlie downs a lot more beer, but I'm not worried. He can handle alcohol pretty well.
I sit and watch the game with him for a bit on TV, but I soon grow bored of watching bulky men running around with a football.
In my opinion they are great big babies. They don't need all that armour to play a bloody game. The European players don't wear stupid spacemen suits to catch and throw a ball. Men, I tut to myself.
Even I could take a hit with one of those footballs and stand up again without faking injury.
I end up going to bed early and sit on my bed reading and old copy of Romeo and Juliet until I fall asleep with the book covering my face, breathing in the bittersweet smell of the paper.
I wake with a start. I sit up poker straight and glance at my clock on my bedside table. It reads one-thirty. I hardly ever wake up in the night, unless there is a storm or there is an abnormal noise.
My ears are straining, searching for any unusual sounds or movement in the house. I can faintly hear Charlie's soft snores and the gurgle of the refrigerator but nothing else.
These noises couldn't have woken me up. They happen every night. I stretch warily and stand up. My room is dimly lit by the fairy lights that hang on my back wall behind my bed.
The door and window is illuminated and look eerily creepy. I walk over to my door and peer my head into the dark hall. Chills are running up and down my spine, even though there is probably nothing wrong.
Just me overreacting. I close my door and lean against the soft wood and sigh. I run a hand through my hair in frustration.
It's a good job it's Saturday and I don't have work in the morning. Well, I guess it is morning now, but you know what I mean. I walk hesitantly over to my double glazed window and open the curtain a crack.
I peer into the darkness of the forest surrounding our house. Anything could be out there, watching, waiting I think stupidly to myself. God, I am a wimp! Worrying because I simply woke up in the night.
Most people do that, don't they? Well, I usually don't. And I don't like change or surprises. I continue to look out over the forest edge and scan our garden.
I get a pretty cool view of everything form my window. No houses, or buildings or any sign of industry. Just beautiful views.
In the daytime anyway. At night it's just creepy. There could be man-eating wolves in that forest. It's not unheard of in this area.
A shudder makes it's way down my body and I let the curtain drop, making sure there is no way anyone or anything can see through any cracks in it. I am definitely paranoid.
Go back to sleep! I command myself. Great, I am talking to myself now. At least I'm not saying it out loud, then I would be certain that I am mad.
Crawling back into the safety of my duvet-nest, I snuggle down under as far as I can go until only my nose, eyes and head are peeking out of the covers.
I stay awake all night after that, tossing and turning, not able to shake the feeling of being watched.
I must have fallen asleep at some point during my long, weird night. My eyes reluctantly opened to the familiar sound of rainfall, pattering against my window.
With a long sigh I sit up and remember last night. I never wake up in the night. Never. I am a very heavy sleeper - like Charlie.
I scratch my head, puzzled. A dark, heavy feeling is weighing me down. It's…eerie. I don't like it.
It feels like something bad has or is going to happen. I've never felt anything like it before, and I don't want it to stick around for long.
I climb out of bed, change into sweats and a clean t-shirt and step out of my bedroom. The whole house is silent. Too silent. Usually, Charlie is up and about, well before me.
I tip-toe across the landing and down the stairs as quietly as I can manage on the old, creaky wood. My arms have goose bumps so I rub my hands up and down, trying to warm them up.
My phone is lit up when I creep into the living room. I pick it up and read the caller ID. It's Alice. Damn pixie. She has left about a million messages and three missed calls. I read the last text.
Bella, answer me! I need 2 let you know that I'm goin' 2 Port Angeles and 2 ask you whether you want anything - like a book? Plz answer me! Xxx - A
Grr. Her and her damn shopping. I quickly text her back.
Soz Al, rough nite. Just woke up. I don't need anything, but thnx for asking anyway. Have a good day, I'll txt ya l8r. Xx - B
Finally! Bella has arisen! OK, are you sure? Sure as sure can b? U kno I don't mind shopping for ya, girl xxx ;) -A
I smile as I read her text. Oh I know how much you love shopping. And I wish you wouldn't, it's pure torture.
Yeah, I'm sure as sure, as sure, as SURE can be that I don't want a single thing *Gives warning face* -_- xx -B
She texts back almost immediately. I sit down on the couch when I realize I have been standing all this time, like a weirdo.
Aww…OK fine, hint taken…What face is that anyway? *wiggles eyebrows* xxx - A
What face is that? That is my annoyed face and I will tell her so.
That, my dear is my annoyed face -_- it means I will KILL u if u buy me 1 single thing, OK? *smiles sweetly* xxx - B
Her next text pisses me off and makes me laugh at the same time.
Oh so that's what that face is…I thought it was ur constipated face, but clearly I waz wrong. OK I get it, u don't want a single thing. I pinky-promise. Cya l8r! xxx ;) - A
Cheeky little pixie! I don't even have a constipated face. I've never been constipated in my life. I have to admit though, it is quite funny…She is my best friend after all, I can't stay mad at her for long.
I almost forgot my depressed state during our funny conversation. I shake my head and stand up.
My Golden Nuggets don't taste the same today. I sigh and throw the remaining bowlful in the bin. Still no sign of Charlie. Weird. I look at the old clock hanging on the kitchen wall in the shape of a fish.
It shows me it is half-nine. He never sleeps in this late. What a strange day! I don't like it. I clean up a bit and then decide it is time to check and see if he is OK. He is maybe ill and needs some Tylenol or something.
The eerie feeling returns to my body as I climb the old stairs to Charlie's room. The door is slightly ajar, and the room is dark. I pause outside and listen for his snoring. It isn't there.
I gently knock on the door and wait. No reply. I rap louder. Still nothing but silence. I finally push the door open. It creaks loudly and reveals the dark room. The light from the landing pours in to the dark figure sleeping on the bed.
I fumble for the light switch and turn on the main light. What I see next sends a shrill scream erupting from my body. Charlie, is lying on the bed, with a knife through his chest. Dead.
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Chapter End Notes - Well, that was some ride! For me anyway. I'm sorry to Charlie fans for killing him in the first chapter. I have nothing against him - he is great - but I need him to be dead for the story to unfold. I hope you enjoyed it. I won't be updating every day, so be warned. I will update whenever I can.
Predicted Next Update - Sometime this week. Hopefully. I am on my Easter Holidays from school, so you should get a lot more while I'm off.
Remember, REVIEWS *hint hint* make me update faster *wink wink* ;)
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See you all soon! Oh, and Happy Easter! ;)