Introduction: "A Better Beginning"

"Why do we have to move now?"

"We're going to a bigger and better place - way better than this."

"But why are we moving now?" asked Sarah. It was night -close to her bedtime- and it was pouring outside with no signs of letting up. The truth is that the house Edward bought was bigger and better than this place, but it was also older and set in a small town full of nasty rumors which made it a lot cheaper. The man that sold the house said he was going on a vacation tomorrow and told Edward to pick up the keys anytime today or the deal was off. Edward wasn't going to pass up a house for this price, so despite the unfortunate request, he began packing up and told the man he would be there by 10pm.

"Because if we don't leave now, we might have to stay here." replied Edward. The past four months have been hell ever since his depression hit him for the first time since Sarah was born. He stopped working and lost his home, and the little savings he did have where spent on this roach infested, dingy, one-bedroom apartment, and food, and gas, etc. His pride stopped him from asking for help from his family. He never wanted them to see him so broken. After month and month of feeling like a failing father, Edward found job, searched everywhere for an affordable home and settled on one in a small town. It would be a quiet good change. At least that's what Edward told himself.

Edward buckled Sarah's seatbelt.

"Is Pug buckled in?" asked Sarah, her big brown eyes full of innocence and wonder.

"I don't think he needs one," replied Edward as he glanced at their dog, Pug, who already had his head out the window. At least someone was excited about moving. Sarah giggled. That dog was the only friend she would be having until she got into another school. "I'm gonna get the last of the boxes. Are you forgetting anything?" asked Edward and Sarah shook her head. Edward jogged back up the apartment stairs. They didn't have much things because it was just the two of them (three including Pug) and they didn't have many cooking appliances. Its not that Edward couldn't cook, he just didn't have any time between work and taking care of Sarah. His four year old princess could be a hand full at times. Although, she never minded eating out and ordering in everyday.

"Alright, that's the last box," said Edward as he slammed this faulty trunk closed. It was a miracle how this truck stayed running all these years. He leaned against it and hoped he was making the right decision. The only con about going to this house was that he wouldn't live next to his sister, Alice, and her husband anymore. Sometimes they would babysit Sarah.

Edward sighed. It was hard being a single parent. It was even harder when your little girl asks you why she's the only child without a mommy. Edward couldn't lie to Sarah, not even if he tried, so he told her the truth: 'Mom left us so you could live,'. Sarah would always furrow her brows in confusion. 'Why couldn't we both live?'. 'Because life doesn't work that way,' Edward would say. 'Sometimes you have to choose your loved ones over yourself'. The conversation would always end there because Edward either became lost in memories or Sarah was to afraid to hear anymore. She always thought that she wanted to hear about her mother's death, but she never really wanted details. And she hated the way her father's eyes would gloss over as he revisited the horrible day in his head.

"Is everyone ready?" asked Edward as he sat in the truck and glanced in the rear view mirror at Sarah.

"Yep!" replied Sarah. Pug wagged his tail. The large German Shepard was taking up a whole seat by himself.

"Alright then," Edward mumbled. The engine roared alive and soon they were on their way to their new home.

The raining was coming down too hard. The dark gray skies made it known that a storm was coming. The windshield was fogged from dust and rain so Edward couldn't see a thing. The car was dangerously sliding against the slippery road, causing Edward to pull over. The house was a mile away and the man with the keys didn't seem like he was willing to wait another day.

"Who's up for a little walk?" Edward asked as cheerful as possible.

"It's raining, dad."

"Would a piggy back ride help?" asked Edward which made Sarah grin. "Okay, put your backpack on and lets go."

"What about the car?"

"We'll get the truck and our belongings tomorrow. Its essential that we carry lite," said Edward, hoping Sarah wouldn't get upset. He did everything in his power to make and keep her happy. Jasper once told him Sarah would grow up to be spoiled because Edward never disciplined her. Edward would just shrug because Sarah was a good kid and everyone knew that.

When they got out of the car Edward scrunched down and let Sarah climb on his back. He was about to get some bags out of the trunk when Sarah piped up.

"We can't leave Pug."

Edward inwardly groaned. The dog was terrified of thunder storms so he would have to carry Pug so he wouldn't run away. So much for taking any of their belongings. Edward strained to move fast with the salty rain flying in his eyes. It was so windy and foggy that he could hardly see a thing, and having Sarah on his back and Pug in his arms weren't helping. He ascended up a hill, the muddy dirt slowing him down even more. He had to squint to see but alas, a large gate stood proudly before them. He knew the house was inside the gate, so he ignored the burning in his legs and arms, and pushed forward as fast as he could.

"Edward?" whispered quietly once he reached the gate. The house owner walked out from the fog with his arm outstretched. He was dangling keys.

Edward frowned at Pug in his arms. "I can't exactly hold anything, sir. Can you walk down with us and open the door?"

The man grunted.

"I'll be damned if I go back there," he threw the keys on the ground and walked off, disappearing in the rain and fog.

Edward struggled to pick up the keys, the rain making them slip through his fingers. The gate unlocked and opened slowly with a hideous creaking sound. Inside the gate, the fog and rain seemed to settle down. The outline of a massive home loomed over them in the dark. Edward wanted to comment on it and brag to Sarah, but he realized that there was still a football field length walk to get to the house. He cursed, glad at all the noise so Sarah couldn't hear it.

A weed got tangled around Edward's ankle and he fell. Pug went darting out of his arms. Sarah tried to chase him but Edward grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

"The gate is locked," he reasoned. "Pug can't go anywhere."

Sarah's tiny body started shaking the way it always did when she was about to cry, but Edward held her until she calmed down. He took her hand inside his and walked up the large rusty porch. Just like the gate, the front door opened with a creak. Edward made a mental note to buy some oil for these doors.

"I'm scared. I wanna go back home," Sarah confessed.

"You'll get caught in the storm monster if you go back," Edward made a face to emphasize an ugly monster. Sarah squealed and hugged Edwards leg. She glanced up at him to make sure he wasn't still the storm monster. He wasn't. He was smiling at her and brushing her hair with his fingers.

"Go put your backpack in the room you want," said Edward. Sarah nodded and ran upstairs. He decided to give her a bath when she came back down because she was muddy from the fall a few minutes ago. Hell, he was muddy too, but he didn't have any change of clothes so he had to settle with just washing his face. The house had a long narrow hall that lead to the bathroom. Just as Edward was reaching to unlock the door, it opened.

A beautiful girl, one that could best be described with 'snow white beauty', stood in the bathroom, clutching a towel to herself. Her face and body flushed and Edward immediately stepped back out of sight in the hallway. His face was burning then he remembered that this was his house. What the hell was she doing in there? Still, being a gentlemen, he waited till she walked out clothed in a t-shirt and jeans, instead of barging in.

"Why are you in my house?"

She glanced around uncomfortably. "I didn't know anyone lived here,"

So she's homeless.

"You can crash here till the storm clears," Edward offered. He instantly wondered if Sarah would mind.

"Just for tonight," the girl said. "I'll be gone by morning."

Edward nodded. He could tell she was still uneasy about the whole situation.

"There's four bedrooms. You can take one," said Edward. He felt bad for not having anything more to offer her. But she seemed grateful with just this. "What's your name? If I may ask?"

She hesitated. "Bella Swan."

"Bella," murmured Edward, feeling the name roll off his tongue. He hadn't wanted to say it aloud, causing him to blush. It didn't go unnoticed by Bella either and she didn't have anything to say to leer the subject, so they both stood in the hallway thinking they could have melted from embarrassment. It was this moment that Edward remembered that he was covered in mud with no bags. She probably thought he was homeless!

"It was storming, I had to leave my car..." Edward awkwardly explained, although, he didn't know why. She was the one breaking the law.

"It's okay," Bella shrugged. "Bad day."

Edward smiled. He was about to reply when Sarah ran around the corner.

"Dad, I seen Pug out my window! He's playing with someone!"

Sarah stopped in her tracks upon seeing Bella and smiled slightly.

"Hi," she said shyly.

"Hi," Bella replied just as shy.

"This is my daughter, Sarah. Sarah, this is Bella. She'll be staying with us."

"Tonight," added Bella. Edward bit the inside of his cheek before a blush could fill his face.

Later that night, after everyone settled in the best they could, they divided the rooms. Sarah and Edward slept in the same room since Sarah was afraid to sleep by herself, and despite all the insisting, Bella slept on the couch. Edward woke up to a noise in the middle of the night and walked downstairs to see what it was. Not a thing seemed out of place and Bella was still fast asleep on the couch. He drank some water from the faucet and began the march back upstairs before glancing at Bella again. Gosh, she was beautiful. And deserved to sleep in a bed. He scooped her up in his arms, careful not to wake her, and carried her to an empty room. He was about to lay her down when he heard a loud thud followed by blood curling screams.

Bella's eyes snapped open and confusion riddled her face. Edward inwardly cursed himself out. He knew how this looked.

...to be continued.