A/N:
This story is going to have two parts, it is a collaboration of my close friend and me.
The first part was written by me entirely and the second part is being written as you read by our one and only orneryrose.
We ironically thank ourselves for being our own beta-readers.
Read and Review!
Enjoy...
Forks, Again? Yes, again... the memories, I wonder... no she wasn't there, she left, she left years ago. Human memories fade and I hope that her memories of myself faded away with the last promise I ever made her, "It will be as if I never existed..." And so it was. I remember it all as if it had happened yesterday, the way she collapsed broken on the forest floor, I kept my eyes on her for a while, but I knew I had to leave when a man approached in search of her. She was safe now. Safer than she had ever been with me. I hurried to her house in search of any evidence of myself. I took the pictures out of the picture album and tore them to pieces, the CD with the lullaby, her lullaby, I snapped it easily in half. Everything else that might give her hope, I stole. I gave the familiar room one last mournful glance as I jumped out the window and ran into the forest.
"They have already left. All of them.", I lied to her earlier. I ran faster than ever before to our mansion. When I burst through the doors I collided with Alice.
"You're leaving.", She said softly. It wasn't a question, we both knew that much. I stared back at her, if Alice would've been able to cry at that moment, the tears would've rolled down her cheeks.
"Come back, soon.", She whispered. What is the point in whispering?, I thought, the whole family must've heard by now. I ran up the stairs and grabbed the bag I had already prepared for my departure. As Alice thought one last goodbye I was out the door again and gone. Coward, I thought, I had no decency, none whatsoever to leave without saying goodbye to your father, coward, the word echoed in my thoughts. But, I knew I wouldn't have been able to say goodbye to Carlisle, I owed him too much, enough to make me feel like dying for my sudden departure. Not that he would ever bring it up, how much I owed him that is. Never, Carlisle would never do that, my guilt would surpass any other I had ever felt the day I returned and he welcomed me with open arms. If I returned, but of course I would, I always did.
The rain slowed down as we drove up to the mansion. My memories were forgotten the instant we came in view of the house. The familiar building looked more than abandoned, it looked haunted. Suited for vampires, I thought as we reached the driveway. We got out of the car, Emmett and me that is. We were back to see if it were possible to return here, if enough people were gone or didn't remember us. As we stepped in the front door, we saw that apparently humans were smart enough to subconsciously avoid this house. A lot of dust covered the floor, walls and windows, very little light penetrated the heavy dust coat. Nature apparently wasn't intimidated by the house, a window was broken and a tree branch penetrated the hole.
"Do you think anyone visited?" Emmett asked. I walked around smelling the house, nothing, no signs of vampires around.
"No, I can't smell anything. Only dust.", I replied. Everyone's scent was gone even hers , her beautiful enticing scent, that blinded me, tempted me, punished me and made me the monster I hated. The scent that reminded me of what I was and what I needed. The scent that turned me blind to all reason. Her scent, the scent that almost made me murder her and make it mine. It's gone, I thought. I walked up the stairs to my old room. Nothing, I thought. I stood in the center of the room looking out the dirty, huge window panel. Everything looked older and dirtier. Even the clouds that concealed the last rays of the sun from my eyes, if that even is possible, looked older.
I felt Emmett behind me,
"We should go inspect the town.", He said.
We left the house and the car behind us as we raced through the forest. Emmett and I separated after a while, it was getting late, although time is irrelevant when you live forever. People were going into their houses or getting home from work. I felt myself running to the past. When I realized where I was going, it was a moment too late. Suddenly it was in front of me, her house. I couldn't help myself, I watched it from the shadows in the forest. No movement whatsoever, nothing, disappointment crashed into my being. I went a little closer, smelling, nothing, another wave of emotion engulfed me, sadness, guilt and the very human feeling of regret. I realized the house was empty or else I would've heard someone inside. I slipped into the house swiftly. It was empty, but not as empty as I felt the moment I saw her room. I stood there smelling, nothing, even that sweet enticing scent was gone. Fifteen years too late Edward, I thought. Regret devoured every other emotion I felt and left me empty.
I ran away from the room and the house. I think I knew were I was headed and in a few minutes I was there, that beautiful meadow. I sat on the grass staring up at the dark night clouds. A while later I was back at the mansion waiting for Emmett, I focused in on his thoughts.
Edward, I think it's safe to come back, I stole the school papers from last time., I heard him think. I took out my cell phone and dialed Carlisle's number.
"Carlisle? I guess we are moving back to Forks.", I told him. I hung up. It doesn't feel like Forks though, not since she left, Bella, my Bella.
