Chapter 1: Walking Away

Bella

"You don't have to do this, sweety" my mother pleaded gently.

I feigned a hopefully brave smile. Again.

"I'll be fine, Mom."

She sighed. We'd been over this for weeks now and yet she hoped I would stay. I guess a small part of me appreciated her concern; appreciated that I was wanted. But we both knew the truth.

I had to leave.

"We could get through this together." She took my hand in hers. "She wouldn't have wanted you to be alone."

I could feel the air leave my lungs. The darkness I had been ignoring reared its ugly head hopefully. I never knew a heart could actually feel broken.

"I guess we'll never know what she wanted."

I was determined not to cry- it would only make things harder. I couldn't get myself to say her name. To think her name. She was a tiny box locked away in a corner of my mind. A rarely used corner. Eventually, I hoped, the box would get misplaced and the memories wouldn't be as vivid.

That's the best I could hope for anyway.

"Have they heard from Evey?" I asked though I knew better.

"She called her parents over the weekend to say she was OK, but that's about it. The call was too short to trace."

I shrugged. Typical Evelyn. Take off without a thought as to what you were leaving behind. A part of my envied her. I couldn't dream of doing what she did. I would always be too preoccupied with the consequences. Or maybe I was just too afraid.

Downstairs, Phil honked the car horn.

I shut my one suitcase and handed mom my backpack.

"Well I guess this is goodbye."

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Charlie

I should say something…

Bella stared blankly out the window, oblivious to my scrutiny.

She hasn't changed one bit. Except for the eyes… she hasn't slept in, what- days? Weeks?

They had driven in silence for almost an hour now after exhausting the usual topics- school, grades and the weather.

Carefully avoiding any mention of friends, feelings, the future- in short anything controversial.

Renée had been very clear- 'talking' was her department. The living arrangement was hopefully temporary. Bella just wanted to get away and Renée wanted to be supportive. Staying with Charlie was the best compromise- both Bella and Renée were equally happy (unhappy?) about it.

I don't really care- I'm just happy to have you back, Bells.

"I just remembered." My voice seemed strangely out of place. "I got you a homecoming gift."

Bella snapped back to reality eyeing me warily.

"It's nothing fancy." I reassured her as we pulled into the driveway. "But I think you'll like it." I pointed at the red truck parked up front.

On second thought, maybe a beat-up old heap of metal wasn't something a teenage girl would appreciate.

"Seriously? That's for me?"

"Yup. Thought it might come in handy." She got out slowly and began inspecting.

"It isn't anything fancy-" I added quickly. "Got it off Billy for a good deal. He, uh, doesn't need it anymore."

"This is great," she beamed at me rather shyly "Thanks, Dad."

And for the first time since this whole thing was set in motion. I thought, maybe it would work out OK after all.

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Edward

Alice stared into the night with unseeing eyes. She was in her favorite spot- nestled almost invisibly in the branches of the old elm near the 'kitchen' window.

I tried to not interrupt her- to not listen. We were statues for a few minutes before she smiled.

They're on their way back. A slight incline of her head beckoned me. Come on up.

I was beside her in a moment.

"Jasper?" I asked out loud.

She frowned. "He didn't hunt. He's… determined. To build his endurance."

And just like that she was lost. We both knew it was futile- the shapes and shadows were dull and indistinct without a catalyst to crystallize them. A defining choice to focus the consequences of Jasper's latest decision.

But something else caught my attention. A scene that stood out in its contrast with the others.

Alice noticed it too and I saw her single it out- trying to focus the image into something recognizable. There was something oddly familiar about though it eluded me.

"It'll be better tomorrow" She reassured me. This was different. I'll keep an eye out.

I smiled at her. "They're almost here."

"Goodbye, Edward." She hugged me softly and disappeared. And I was left alone with my thoughts.