Chapter One:
Alice and I ran through the woods behind our house laughing and singing out of tune, without fear of disturbing nonexistent neighbors. The sun disappeared behind the thick cast of leaves as we traveled further from the safety of our home. Standing back, I watched as my twin twirled around, this has been the happiest she has been since our mother passed away four years ago. Noticing my absence, she yelled louder and before I could contain it, more giggles and lyrics flew from my lips as I trailed after the ink haired pixie. We continued this until a harsh voice came from the trees.
"Silly Bella, you shouldn't be here alone." Confused, I turned around to that Alice was nowhere in sight.
"You should have just left him alone." The voice hidden from the trees hissed viciously at me. My feet started racing through the debris covered forest floor, trying in vain to escape the voice echoing after me.
"Bella!" A shrill scream pierced the air.
I jerked awake, wearily glancing around the barely lite room for any sign of the noise that woke me up. Letting up the breath I was holding unknowingly in, my head fell to the pillow. "Ugh…" The dream must have really shaken me up; sweat drenched my pillow and forehead. Yup. I will have to have a shower before school today. I pulled myself upright and placed my bare feet on the cold hardwood floor, sending chills up and down my spine.
Leaning forward I saw the bedroom door across from mine closed. A small smile played at my lips, Alice slept last night. Slowly and quietly, I made quick small steps across my bedroom making sure that I didn't make enough sound to wake Alice. Being a light sleeper to begin with always bothered her during the night, but after our mother's death, Alice has barely slept a continuous weeks' worth.
Finally I finished my task and gathered today's wardrobe and supplies for the school day, I tiptoed past Alice's room down stairs to take a shower. In the living room I spied Charlie softly snoring in the recliner in front of the TV, a clear bottle of liquor in his hand. I felt my eyes roll to the back of my head. It was disgusting how much he drank himself to drink.
I only wasted about ten minutes in the hot steamed shower. As usual, my thoughts turned dark as I blamed my mom for getting into the car and driving into the thunderstorm after my dad. I blamed Charlie for causing my mom's death and for abandoning me and Alice in our time of need. I might go crazy from having to deal with myself, Alice and making sure Charlie is alive every night when he dozes off.
I shook my head, mentally telling myself to get a grip, and I ended my shower. Quickly I got dressed in the appropriate clothes one must wear to survive in the sunless, rainiest town, Forks. I groaned at how little the dark clouds were merciful and allowed the wonderful sun to shine. How the heat would warm your skin in a matter of seconds. How it made the depressing little town have more life, but it was rare to have such days, and even when we do school decides to ruin it for everyone by making us attend class.
After brushing my hair and teeth I looked at the image in the mirror. Even though her hair was brushed, the plain brown still looked wild as the layers surrounded her face. The brown doe like eyes stared back willingly enough but they were dull, no longer filled with life. I'm the human personification of Forks, I thought grimly. And it was true. Boring, Dreary, Dull and several more examples that I could name to make myself feel worse, and besides who compares themselves to towns?
Soon after my debate with myself on if I was truly insane I went back upstairs to wake Alice up from her beauty sleep.
Knocking was the easiest way to wake Alice, and any other day that is how I would drag her out of bed, but after her disappearance in my dream I felt the need to make sure she didn't leave me. Sure I knew that there wasn't anywhere for her to go, but still, I needed the reassurance.
Creeping into the room, I sat gently on her bed as her eyes flitted open in surprise. A smile replaced the open mouthed gasp as she realized that it was only me. I felt my heart sink as I took her appearance in. Even after just waking up she was beautiful. Her black was arranged perfectly around her small face, like a pixie, her light blue eyes always glimmering and full of life despite her sadness. Her smaller frame was draped in a white silk night dress making her skin have an eerily inhuman glow.
"Is something wrong, Bella?" Alice asked as she brought different outfits out of her closet, deciding what fashion statement today would call for. Not feeling the need to bother her about a silly little dream, I replied with a 'no'.
"Just making sure your slow ass doesn't make us late for first period again." Chuckling to myself, I ducked from a pair of jeans flying at my head. A grinning Alice stood nearby sticking her tongue out at me.
"You cannot rush the process I undergo for perfection!" She mocked in an pompous English accent. "Yeah, yeah, yeah..." I tossed the pants back to her before leaving the room and walking to the kitchen for breakfast.
The microwave beeped, indicating that my small meal was ready to be devoured. Stirring brown sugar into the oatmeal mix I sat on a bar stool when my eyes trailed to the left. My eyes followed the breeze as it picked up the brightly colored dead leaves from the ground and played with them in the air. Without knowing that I did so, I stood up and stepped closer to the floor length window until I could see my breath on the cool glass. I yearned to go outside and into the woods, but why? Shuddering, I took step backwards and made my way back to the bar stool. I eyed the green outdoors before taking a bite of my oatmeal. What is wrong with me?
What do you think is wrong with Bella? Is there something or someone waiting for her in the woods? Please Review!
-Benjamin L.