So this is my first attempt in the Twilight ficdom. If it shows, well, there's a reason for it! But after reading so many awesome fics on here, I have decided to give it a go. Please don't flog me.
Disclaimer: Me no own.
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Chapter 1: Gone
I knew this day would come eventually. To be quite honest, I am surprised it hadn't happened before now. But time can be a fickle thing when you don't know how much you have left.
And so I prepared to leave for the next phase in my life, years too early and years too late. I didn't know at the time what I would be walking into. Perhaps I would have rethought my choices, weighed my options. As it was, I could only think of one obvious course of action.
That is how I found myself heading back toward the small town of Forks.
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It was cloudy, dreary, and rainy. A typical day in the small town. Not that I minded. I preferred the cold, wet weather over anything else, feeling it seep into me like a security blanket. It felt…comforting. Normal. I was glad some things never change. Other things, however…
With a heavy sigh, I drove further into the small town. It would take no time at all to reach my destination. Then again, it didn't take long to reach anywhere. There really wasn't a lot of town. But as I passed by familiar landmarks, I felt my chest tightening. When was the last time I was here? Had it really been five years?
This thought made the guilt and dread increase tenfold. Would everyone be angry about my return? Would they tell me to go away? Was I even strong enough to deal with this?
As if hearing my unasked questions, a strong hand reached over and squeezed my shoulder reassuringly. "I am right here, Bella," he murmured tenderly. "And I'm not going anywhere."
The simple heartfelt gesture was almost enough to reduce me to a breakdown. He of all people knew how difficult this was going to be. The only thing keeping me going at this point was the fact that I wasn't alone. "Thanks," I whispered, squeezing his hand briefly before pulling into the familiar driveway.
Turning off the engine, I willed my breathing to even out before I slowly climbed out of the car. He was by my side in a second, one arm around my shoulders in reassurance. I allowed him to lead me to the front door, my steps automatic. I was scared. I knew exactly what would await me on the other side of the door; it would be as if nothing had changed. A step back in time,. A preserved memory.
"Here goes nothing," I mumbled, unlocking the door and stepping inside.
I was shocked as I was hit with…nothing. No sounds, no smells; it was almost…sterile. All of the nothingness washed over me like a tidal wave as I collapsed to my knees and my composure crumbled. "He's gone!" I cried, my entire body numb.
Strong arms cradled me to an equally strong chest as my body trembled uncontrollably. "It'll be ok, Bella, I promise," he said, but the words sounded empty, hollow, as his voice was as broken as mine.
"He's gone," I repeated. Being here made it real. It was no longer just a nightmare. From across the continent I still had the luxury of allowing myself a faint glimmer of hope that the news was wrong. But it wasn't. He was gone.
And he was never coming back.
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So is anyone wondering just exactly what is going on here? I'd love to hear your theories... Cookies to anyone who caught the BtVS reference. Stay tuned for more!