Chapter One: Too Close
La Push, Washington
It is a beautiful place here. Trees surround the homes here with a stormy beach. I am sitting on the cliff that people jump off of for fun. Today the water is so rough, it looks as if it's inviting the suiciders. The gray waves crashed against the rocks with such violence that only Death could manipulate. If only my life could end as simply as the humans on the beach.
No. I must not think like that. I must protect them. I must protect my family even if it is from afar. I love them to damn much to let any harm come to them.
As I sit on these rocks, to close to them, I don't know if I should make myself known. Last time we tried to be a family, he almost died at my side and I can't let that happen again. I have refused contact with them after that. We are too 'unique' for my world. Shit, I don't even want to be in my life. Fuck my father and the Volturi.
I heard some rustling in the trees and I threw myself to a hiding place in between the rocks where I was shielded by them and covered with fallen limbs from the forest. I looked through a crack in between two rocks and watched him walk out. He was just as beautiful as I last saw him but with more muscle and heigth. I longed to be with him again though it would only hurt him.
He walked to the edge of the cliff, shoulders slumped, head bowed. He looked defeated and… lost. His eyes weren't focused. They were glazed over like he was off in a far away land. I waited for him to jump, for him to do something risky so I could go after him. He just sat down at the edge of the cliff precariously close to falling off. I watched as he took deep breaths and let tears roll down his copper face. My body became frigid as the urge to comfort my brother came on strong. My heart tore, no it broke open and the flood was released. I didn't try to hold it in. I didn't try to stop it so I tearlessly cried with him. He cried for me as I cried for them.
I couldn't handle the emotion much longer. I broke and silently slid from my cover, quickly kissed his cheek, and ran.
I ran to watch her. I ran to see my mother from the top of the trees. She stood from her gardening and went inside. I followed her undetected. She walked by my only school picture and kissed the forehead. Afterwards setting it down on the stone mantel and continuing onto the kitchen for a glass of tea.
Then it hit me again. It hit me harder than before and I had to stifle a gasp. The pain, the loneliness, and separation of all these years came in a single moment. As I had cried with my brother, I cried with her. I hated myself for hurting them but if I came back, it would only be worse. I couldn't stand the avalanche of emotion so I did what I did best. I ran. I whispered 'I love you' in her ear and ran away.
This time to Florence, Italy.