Hey guys, I'm finally back! I know I haven't updated in like 9 months, and I deserve to be yelled at :( But I just went through a crazy time in my life, a story I'd rather not talk about. And then, of course my laptop breaks lol. But I got it fixed and reading all of my wonderful readers' reviews I knew it was time to continue this story again, because I love you all so much! So here is my Valentine's Day present to you guys xD And maybe I'll even have chapter 4 out before V-Day too. So please read, review, and enjoy. ~Karen
Bella's POV
How could I describe it? Barren, despondent, silent, lifeless. Yes, lifeless.
The deserted Cullen house looked back at me, its windows staring like lifeless eyes, its white exterior faded like the complexion of a corpse. The porch, wrapped tightly around the lower level of the building, no longer looked inviting. The front door had the appearance of a mouth, just waiting for some misfortunate being to grace its threshold before they were swallowed by the darkness. While it had only been unattended for a day, the field in front of the house looked wild and unkempt. The grass whispered as I made my way across the long stretch of lawn, dancing violently for the wind as it scratched at my legs.
I watched the ground the entire time I was walking, my eyes averted from the menacing domicile. Every so often I would stumble away from my straight path, trying to avoid the weeds sprouting out of the earth. I forced myself to look up as my feet reached the porch steps. Taking them one at a time, I ascended the stairs and stepped lightly onto the deck. The aged wood creaked beneath me as I approached the door, quietly warning me not to put myself through this.
Ignoring the screaming protests echoing in my mind, I reached a trembling hand for the doorknob. My fingertips brushed the handle, pulling back almost immediately. The knob was freezing, as icy as the hand that had last touched it.
Hesitant, I placed my own hand back on the handle, shivering as the coldness of the metal seeped into my skin. Turning the knob gently, I pushed the door open and stepped into the gloom.
My breath hitched in my throat as I gazed around the large main room. It was difficult to see through the penetrating shadows that encased the area, but I could make out some discernable shapes. The wide glass window that made up the entire rear wall was covered with long, blanket-like curtains. The only source of light was the few front windows that let in the dull gray of an overcast morning. It seemed as though the Cullens had left almost everything behind. Not a surprise, really, I thought. Over their centuries on earth the family had acquired quite a ridiculous amount of wealth. They could buy a new, fully-furnished home without making a dent in their finances. But everything had a newfound creepiness to it. All of the furniture had been covered in white sheets, which seemed to billow on their own rather than from the breeze coming through the open door. A fine layer of dust coated all that remained in the house.
Nudging the door closed behind me, I turned my head slowly and saw a particularly large piece of furniture hiding beneath its white attire; the grand piano. I collapsed to the floor as I realized that never again would I hear my lullaby played on its ivory keys. The searing ache returned to my heart, reopening the fresh wounds that had momentarily left me. Tears flooded from my eyes once again, burning as the salt entered the cuts on my face. Running through the forest had left me bruised, bleeding profusely as tree branches assaulted me. Crying out in pain, I rubbed at my face in frustration, only to make the sting worse as dirt from my hands mingled with the bloody tears. Kneeling on the hardwood floor, fingernails digging into my arms as I hugged myself, I took a deep breath and held it until the pain disappeared. My hands began to shake as my body shrieked silently for air, but I would not give it that sweet reprieve. I wanted to hold my breath until I passed out, until the darkness shrouded me forever. But, as usual, I was too weak for that. I shuddered vehemently as the oxygen rushed into my lungs. Another wave of depression washed over me and I laid down on my side, drawing my knees close to my body. I looked forward and saw that I was at the foot of the large, curved staircase. Tilting my head to look up the stairs, my eyes fixated on the black obscurity that was the second floor landing. The house truly was deserted. The silence pressed against my ears as I noticed just how unnerving this place could be when it was empty. This looked like a vampire's lair.
This was all becoming too much for me. I couldn't handle it, nothing would ever be the same again. Edward was never coming back; he didn't want me. I lost the only people I had in Forks. I tried to push myself up to my feet but just crashed back to the ground, defeated. The tears were now so frequent that I feared they would permanently stain my face. Like it even matters how I look now.
I tried to stand again; another attempt, another failure. That was the story of my relationship with Edward, and it would continue to be the story of my life. I am always going to be a pathetic, clumsy, stupid failure, I thought miserably, reaching into my pocket for the metal nail file Alice had given me a week ago.
"Always have a nail file on hand, Bella," she had said cheerfully. "You never know when you'll need to look your best at a split second's notice."
I had no idea what she was talking about, seeing as I was never concerned with looking like I just stepped off a runway. However, I had pocketed the file that day, and it just so happened that these were the same jeans I had been wearing then. Perfect.
"Thanks, Alice. You were right," I said softly, drawing the thin piece of metal out of my pocket. "You should always have a good nail file on hand. You never know when you'll need it."
The file glinted dangerously at me as I pressed it against the delicate skin covering my wrist. My pulse raced frantically under the pressure of the sharp metal. I am always going to be a complete mess, I thought, anger towards myself rising, overwhelming the sorrow. And if Edward doesn't want me, I don't want me.
Carlisle's POV
The wind whipped at my face as I ran at vampire speed through the woods lining the highway. I pushed myself faster than I thought possible, trying to pick up on Bella's distinctive scent that had thus far eluded me. I slowed down dramatically once I reached the Forks border. Jogging at this speed may be normal to humans, but it was killing me to go this slow. I needed to find Bella now, and at this rate it could take hours.
I stopped after a few minutes, running my hands through my hair and breathing deeply. The fact that I couldn't sense Bella, couldn't hear her heartbeat, was terrifying. What if something had happened? What if I had arrived too late?
Fearing the worst, I turned to continue down the road and almost ran headlong into a young woman crossing the street.
"Dr. Cullen! I didn't expect to see you back so soon," the woman said, giggling. She twirled a piece of her sun-kissed blonde hair around one finger, batting her eyelashes shamelessly.
"Oh, hello Madeline," I said, groaning internally. Madeline worked as a nurse here in Forks. As though she was completely ignorant of the wedding band I wore, she would constantly flirt with me at the hospital. I did not need a delay like this at the moment.
I gave her a smile, gazing around the deserted street rather than her face. The sun was dipping low in the sky, hidden behind the gray clouds but still visible as it gave them an orange tint. It was getting late. I turned my eyes back upon hers and saw the desirous look she wore only too often. She pushed her petite frame towards me slightly and smoothed the front of her skirt, which fell at a dangerously short length of just above mid-thigh. It was true that she was an attractive young woman, but I was just not interested in her at all. Sadly, she never got the hint.
"Where is everyone?" I asked her.
"They all went into the forest to search for Chief Swan's daughter. It seems she's ran off somewhere. The entire town is going crazy looking for her, and I was left here all alone," Madeline said, feigning loneliness as she licked her lips softly.
"Ah, I see," I said, suppressing a grin. I had to applaud her for persistence, but her attempt to seduce me was rapidly turning into a one-woman comedy show. "Well, actually, I too have come to look for Isabella."
"Oh," she said, tugging on a lock of blonde hair in slight annoyance. "Well, maybe we can meet up later," she said hopefully.
"Perhaps," I said, smiling again.
I froze suddenly, as a familiar, enticing scent blew over me in the wind. The floral aroma of lavender and freesia swirled around me, engulfing my senses once more. "Excuse me." I slid past Madeline, leaving her pouting in the middle of the road.
Jogging maybe too quickly to pass as a human, I followed Bella's scent down the road. After a couple of minutes I stopped in my tracks as my ears picked up on a faint heartbeat. "Thank god," I murmured, glancing around the area before running at vampire speed towards the sound. As the beat got louder, and as the smell got stronger, I realized where I was heading. I broke through the trees into the forest to find a faster way to get to the side road. Pushing aside ferns and branches I found the path and ran as fast as I could until I reached my previous home.
Not wanting to alarm Bella, I walked the rest of the way across the lawn, sensing each blade of grass brushing against my legs. I gripped the porch railing tightly as I ascended the steps, nervous of the condition I might find Bella in. I placed my hand lightly on the doorknob, noticing just how warm it felt to me. Compared to the iciness of my skin, most everything seemed warm.
Turning the handle carefully, I opened the door and cried out at the sight before me.
"Bella, stop!" Bella whirled around, dropping the nail file as she did so. A look of pure shock and terror flitted across her pale face before she swayed slowly and fell towards the ground, her chocolate eyes rolling back in her head. Rushing forward I caught her before she hit the floor, holding her tightly in my arms. She was so light and fragile as I held her against my body. Carrying her to the other side of the room, I removed the sheet covering the couch and laid Bella down gently.
"What has Edward leaving done to you?" I whispered as I looked at her unconscious form. Bruises and cuts covered every inch of exposed skin. Her clothes were ripped and filthy. Her long brown hair was matted with dirt and blood. I could not stand to see Bella like this. She had become a part of the Cullen family, and no one wants to see a family member like this.
I pulled Bella's arm close to me, examining her wrist. There was a single cut there, blood dripping slowly out of the gash. It was not too deep, but she would have a scar. I ran my fingers lightly over the wound, delicately tracing the veins visible through her pale skin.
"Oh, Bella," I sighed miserably, grabbing my medical bag. "I can stitch up your injuries, but how will I ever mend your broken spirit?"