Barton Hollow
"I have no intentions of hurting your loved ones, dear Renesme." Aro smiled. His cruel smile still made me shiver in my dreams, even now. With almost one hundred years gone past now, that moment is my last memory of my family.
When the tension, mounting to the inevitable fight, became too much, my mother had told Jacob and I to run. We set out for Rio de Janeiro, Jacob running as fast as is strength would let him, toting me on his back the whole time. We had almost made it too.
But, Fate is a cruel, fickle friend and Jacob and I had almost out-smarted her. She would not have it. So, at the edges of the Amazon, Fate threw every danger our way. Together, Jacob and I fought off venomous snakes, crocodiles, and leech-summoning rains. Rio was only a stone's through away when Jacob caught a sickness. I'd read a little of Carlisle's medicinal journals, but not enough to help my friend. I tried to go get help, but he couldn't fend for himself. It was only a matter of time.
Jacob collapsed in my arms during a horrendous rain storm. I feel glad now that he had spent his final days with me; even if it was slogging to Hell and back.
The road to Hell is paved with good intentions, and my existence had forced Jacob to walk the line. But, grief and guilt plague me no longer.
I had buried Jacob to the best of my abilities and headed off, alone, into the wilderness. I found Rio that day. Entering into the city square in my ripped jeans and mud-soaked high-top trainers, women swarmed me like mothers around a hurt child at the playground. They washed me, fed me, and bound my cuts. They asked lots of questions in a language I didn't know. I cried in their arms, frustrated I couldn't understand and missing Jacob, my teddy.
Eventually, someone who spoke English found their way to me.
The women had wanted to know why I was in the rainforest alone. I lied and said that my family had taken a plane to Rio, but the plane had crashed. I said I only knew that my brother had died, but I didn't know about my parents.
The English-speaker, a man named Johann, took me in and let me live with his family. It was all very generous, but a few weeks were all I could take. I had to find my family.
I left in the night and never returned; never left a note.
And that's where I find myself today; searching. I had reached Forks, my old town, at one point. I hadn't smelled anything close to vampire scent. And I couldn't go back. The Devil himself follows me as I travel, removing any sign of hope. If there was something there, He chased it off himself.
Everyone I have had contact with on this long journey are now long dead, or too old to remember me. I've been a nomad for too long, been alone for too long.
My family, like Aro's cold words, comes to me in dreams. My mother, Bella, with her long chocolate hair and warm smile. My father hugs me close, ruffling my bronze hair, identical to his. Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, Emmett, Carlisle, and Esme; I see them all. Their smiles, warm embraces, and voices keep me sane in my unending solitude. Jacob visits every now and then, as well; bringing recounting of our flight to South America. I miss him the most; my heart aches in my sleep on those nights.
But, this is where I've come thus far. It's not where I'm going. I don't know if I'm able to leave this strange, tortured life for another. I'm not willing to try either.
I would only end up in Hell; back where I began.
Tonight, I stare up at the full moon above the dense forests of Portland, Oregon. Tomorrow, I will journey to Forks and i will find what the Devil may leave me. If nothing transpires, I have overcome death, and run for miles, all in vain. I have even called upon holy men and women to try and purify my soul; anything for a silver inch of hope.
In short, this was my final chance.
Author's Note:
Hope you all are enjoying this so far! This turned from a one-shot to a double shot, so please keep reading and commenting! It's based on the song Barton Hollow by the Civil Wars; using bits and ideas from the song. Check it out because it's worth hearing!
Thanks,
Carie