Chapter One: Dream On
Title song by: Train
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Click.
Shift, adjust, deep breath and
Click.
Shift, adjust, deep breath and
Click.
Shift, adjust, good angle, right there. Deep breath and
Click, click, click.
"Okay, that should be good."
The whole woods seem to awaken. Birds take flight the branches, in search for breakfast. The rustle of naked branches is music to my ear, with the bass of crunching snow. The sun reflected of off each unique snowflake that drifted down to earth.
The peace of the world right now must be an illusion.
Even though I know it's not, the thought flits across my mind, like it does every time I'm out here.
The winding path, which tangles through the woods, leads me to a lonely street. Parked cars, left abandoned in the snow, sit silently, until they're needed. A picture of serenity.
Click.
Shift, adjust, deep breath and
Click, click… Click.
Slowly, lost in thoughts, I made the familiar way home. The outside light called to me 'come home, it's warm and lovely inside.' You'd think I could keep the smile from my face, as I think of here as 'home', even after years and years.
The smells of pizza and gun polish attack my senses. A warm glow comes from a lamp in the living room. Closing the door quietly, I sneak over, raise my camera and click.
"Got you." Charlie blinks at me, startled.
"Bella, I didn't know you were in town." I grin at him.
"Liar, you left the outside light on. Alice called, didn't she?"
He gives me a guilty smile. I sit down next to him, grabbing his hand in a gentle squeeze.
"What brings you here?" Figures he'd ask right away.
Forced to ruin the moment, I answer: "I need help."
-*-
"Why didn't you tell me sooner, Bells?" Charlie's voice wasn't condescending, but hurt.
"I'm sorry, Dad. Really, truly I am. But everything was happening so fast, I was so scared. Contacting anyone, even you, was out of the question." I wish tears would form at my eyes, and fall down my cheeks like any normal girl. But instead, Charlie's eyes began to water.
"I know, but… Oh, Isabella." I allowed him to embrace me, he shoulders shook for minutes on end.
"Yeah dad, I know. It's okay, though, really." I tried my best to comfort him. But that's just not my forte, comforting people. Patting his back awkwardly, I pulled back. Maybe I shouldn't have come; it's going to be harder than ever to leave.
"How about some coffee?" I nodded and got up to prepare a pot. Strong and black, how we both drank it. It left a bitter taste that I reveled in.
Charlie now sat in his favorite chair at the dinner table. Light overhead washed his face out, making him seem pale, and even a little fragile. The worry lines on his face were deeper than other before, his tears now dried.
"So, what are you going to do now?" he practically whispered.
"I'm going to run like hell."