Death Keeps Knocking On My Door

by Rebekah Matthews

Set at the end of June, 10 months after Bella's 18th birthday, and 2 months before their wedding in August, Bella's emotional and physical trauma following the events of her birthday through to Edward's return comes back to haunt her. She's forced to confront the pain and loneliness that never went away, learning a thing or two about immortality and the perfection she always saw.

1. Prologue

Prologue

Dear Gran,

I'm no stranger to death, but that doesn't mean I want to talk about it. I'd rather not think about it at all. Except lately… death keeps knocking on my door. Ten months ago, I messed up, bad. I messed up in ways that if you were here, you would be so disappointed in me. I'm not sure I know how to fix it.

I don't know if it was even real… I was told today that you would never find peace until I found it in myself. I hope that was a lie told to punish me. God knows, I deserved that. But if it's true, I'm going to do better. I saw a glimpse of what true loneliness feels like. Of what lies in store for me if I don't find my own peace, so I'm going to get to work on that. I'm glad to know you're with me, but I look forward to the day you're not.

I love –

"Bella?" a soft voice chimed, putting a pause to the pen scribbling the words on the page, her heart skipping a beat.