I looked out the passenger window and sighed. Here I was again. This time though, it wasn't a short vacation. I was here to stay. Ugh. I don't know why I agreed to this, of course I actually hadn't agreed to it. Renee and Phil wanted some time alone and I respected that. I never thought they would send me here though.
"Dad, where are we going?" I asked. We went straight by Charlie's house and continued to drive south. I started to panic. Then I thought, south is good, south is sunny. The panic that had so suddenly bubbled up inside me was drenched in the same moment.
"Don't worry Bells, we are just going to the Black's for a second. You remember Billy, right?"
"Of course I do." How could I not, He practically pushed his son on me when I was only thirteen. Jacob had been only eleven, too.
"Great," he gave me a nervous smile. "There is just one thing."
"What?" I asked. Now I was on my guard. What could he possibly know that would make him nervous?
"Well……" He turned to smile that smile again and I looked straight forward, not wanting to meet his eyes. If he wasn't going to tell me, I would just give him the cold shoulder.
As I looked forward everything went blurry. But I had enough sense to know what was going to happen.
"DAD, WATCH OUT!" I screamed, right before his police cruiser slammed into one of the many trees they have here in Forks, Washington. I lifted my head from the dashboard, where it had crashed against. Everything was spinning around and around. I looked over at Charlie and he was unconscious, with blood seeping down his chest.
"Dad" I choked out. I tried to sit up, but when I did they smell of the blood hit me almost as hard as the car had hit the tree. I just sat there, too shocked to do anything else. I couldn't keep looking at my dad, I had to get help. I fumbled around for the door handle and I looked out into the forest. I could have sworn that I saw a pair of topaz eyes floating on a tree branch. Stupid, I thought, eyes don't float on tree branches. I stepped out of the car and looked around me. Great we were in the middle of nowhere.
I have to get some help, I thought desperately. I started back down the road the way we had come and after about five or so minutes, I came to a tiny little road, that was only marked with a number I couldn't quite make out.
"There has to be a house down here!" I thought. The ground had fresh tire tracks on it. I decided I would give it a shot. I started down the road and pretty soon came discouraged. Isn't there supposed to be a house somewhere at the end of this stupid road? What if the road never ends? An involuntary shiver ran up my spine, and I wrapped my raincoat more tightly around myself.
A little more walking, though, and I found myself staring at a mansion. There was a shiny silver Volvo and a muddy jeep parked in front of it. Those are some pretty cool cars, a part of my mind said. The other part was trying to find the front door. Half the house was windows! I followed a path and soon was brought to a set of mahogany doors on a little porch at the side of the house. It was probably actually the front, but I had to think of getting help for Charlie. I knocked on the door and out of the corner of my eye I saw something big flit across the yard. I'm going crazy, I thought.
The door opened and I saw a very young, blonde man staring curiously at me. He was also gorgeous. I found myself staring right back at him. I'm pretty sure my mouth was hanging open, too.
"Hello. How may I help you?" He said. His head turned slightly to the side, like he was listening. For a second shock registered on his face, but he smoothed it out quickly. It was replaced by a warm smile that sent chills down my back. God he was handsome.
I snapped back to my panicking self and stared at him pleadingly. "I'm really sorry to bother you, sir…"
"Doctor Carlisle." He said, interrupting me. I noticed his voice sounded like chiming bells and for a second I was mystified.
Then I realized what he said, "You're a doctor?" I said. Not waiting for a response I kept going. "because my dad's cruiser just crashed and I can't find anyone to help and he's bleeding and I'm not even sure if he's alive." I said. Then I burst into tears and fell onto his porch.
"I'll go right now and check out your dad. Stay right here." He said, he disappeared into his house and I thought how lucky I was that I found a doctor's house. Dr. Carlisle was soon back and there was a young lady by his side, as pretty as he was handsome.
"Hello, honey, I'm Esme. Just come with me. My husband will go and fix your dad right up." She gave me the friendliest smile and I found myself smiling right back. "So," she continued. "You are new in town, are you chief Swan's daughter?"
I nodded and shivered, I was so cold.
Esme looked surprised and then she said, "Oh sorry, honey, you must be cold. Why don't you come inside and sit for a spell." I smiled at her and when I walked inside I heard a loud growl. Panic skittered across Esme's face and she disappeared. When she came back she had a platter of food and some tea.
"You have dogs?" I asked, even though it sounded more like a mountain lion than a dog.
"Dogs?" she asked confused, handing me a cup and a mini cake. I think. It looked like some pretty fancy food. She didn't take any herself, though.
"The growling." I said back, equally confused. I took a bite of the mini cake and thousands of tastes exploded in my mouth. I forgot what I was talking about for a second.
Her face smoothed out, just like Dr. Carlisle's had, and she said "Dogs, yes. We have dogs." She smiled at me and I suddenly felt exhausted.
"Oh, you poor dear. You must be tired. It's not every day you crash and almost lose your father," She looked at me with concern written all over her face. "Just lay back and rest now. Your father will be just fine."
I smiled at her and sat down on the couch. Before I knew what was happening my eyelids were fluttering shut. I was almost unconscious when I realized I had never told Dr. Carlisle where my dad was. I tried to get it out but I was swept away into a dreamless sleep before I could.