AN. This is the longest chapter yet, and was a very hard one to write, Sigh! Constructive critisim is more than welcome, Thanks for the favorites and follows, I really appreciate it.

Chapter 4

It had taken 4 hours to get to Seattle, My hands had trembled when I pushed the black Credit Card into the machine. I made cash withdrawals up to the machines limit, tucking the wads of cash away quickly. Guilt tearing at me, Edward had given me the card, he had just wanted to please me and provide for me. It was still dark, I left Seattle feeling like I was doing something very, very wrong.

The further I got, the worse I felt, even passing through the Cascade mountains as the sun rose wasn't enough to lift the black night of despair that overshadowed my soul. The amber sunlight streaming through the looming conifers , the morning mist that curled back from the mountains, none of it touched me inside. I had stopped several times, wondering if I should just go back. Maybe put it down to pre-wedding jitters. It didn't solve my problem, that there was something inside me that had broken, preventing me from being happy.

Each time I stopped, after mere minutes I started on my way again, alone with my thoughts. It would be so easy to blame all this on my parents. Their divorce maybe, even though I was only a toddler when it happened, ancient history now. My mothers childish attitude maybe? Sure she was my best friend, but there were times when it felt like she had blamed me for getting in her way, stopping her from enjoying life the way she wanted. Sometimes it had seemed like she was trying to make me feel guilty. Especially when Phil was on the road, I got the impression I was like some sort of millstone around her neck, rather than a daughter. I gripped the steering wheel tightly pushing my foot a little harder on the accelerator, the old truck reluctantly surged forward. I didn't trust people easily, I found it hard to believe anyone could really love me. Because it seemed sometimes as though my mother didn't. Charlie had tried but essentially we had been apart too long, summer vacations notwithstanding, he didn't really know me. Edward knows me...But wait, he was initially attracted to me because He couldn't read me like others, because my mind was private. If he really knew me, would he truly love me? When I finally reached Spokane 5 hours later My eyelids were beginning to take on a life of their own, drifting down narrowing my vision. Body aching I pulled over near a small café along the main highway, buying a sandwich and a bottle of water. I take out the phone and stare at it for a moment then calling the number and plastering a fake smile on my face.

It took a moment for Charlie to answer the phone, he sounded out of Breath. "Hi Dad."

"Bella, where are you, I woke up this morning, wondered why you weren't coming down out of your room, didn't know you had gone until i noticed your truck was missing."

"Aw sorry, I thought about leaving a note, but thought I would call after the plane, I'm down in Phoenix for a week, spur of the moment thing, wanted to do some shopping, catch up with old friends, call me impulsive. " my words sounded false to my ears, I prayed they didn't to my fathers.

"Your mom's away at the moment, where are you staying?"

"she left me the keys dad, relax"

"Oh...Ok, look you would tell me If anything was wrong wouldn't you?"

"Of course Charlie, Um dad, I'm having a blast, I...Um.. didn't get a chance to let Edward know."

"No doubt I will see him, you should really let him know these things, after all you are going to marry the guy." he sounded skeptical.

I closed my eyes willing my breathing to stay even, keep it together Bella, "I know, It's just the way mum said, sometimes you just got to go and have yourself some fun and damn the consequences."

I heard dad growl, " And you should take what she says with a grain of salt... Bella have some fun but not too much fun...OK." he sounded unsure. I bit my lip, worrying it incessantly with my teeth. I felt better when we had said our goodbyes, That might give me some time.

I walked out to the Chevy 1953 resting against its curved fender, using it as a makeshift seat and taking a long drink of water. I closed my eyes and pressed the cool bottle against my heated cheek. That's why I could never lie to people's faces, they could always tell, my normally pale skin flushed unintentionally at the slightest fib. Reluctantly I opened the door wincing at the high-pitched squeal. Time to get back on the road. I debated with myself as I drove down the main drag of Spokane, A motel sign drew my attention for a moment, but for some reason I kept on driving. They say you should have a 15 minute break every 2 hours, I hadn't exactly timed myself, I could always pull over and catch 40 winks later. I fiddled with the radio cringing at the loud static and the occasional ravings of a local Christian DJ on a doomsday rant. I finally found a classical music station on the radios limited bandwidth and settled for that. I passed over the state line, through Sandpoint Idaho and then before I knew it I was in Montana, mountain ranges and forest parks, Feeling the exhaustion begin to take over I reluctantly drew up to the Conoco gas station in Libby. The truck was virtually running on fumes yet again. My eyes felt sore and slightly gritty. I squeezed them shut tightly, as I opened them I noticed a sign, Hot showers available, Thank you! There must be a God.

Fresher, better, almost awake, it had been 11 hours since I has started this foolish journey. My previous angst had faded. It was almost as if the shower had washed away more than the grime from my body but also from my soul. As the sun began to fall I pulled into a siding and parked, locking the doors I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

A sharp rap on the window woke me up I squinted shading my eyes as a torch shined in through the window blinding me. Instinctual fear gripped me, after so many life and death situations, my mind instantly assumed the worst. My infamous misfortune was a constant source of amusement and concern to those who knew me. I accidentally kicked my water bottle off the seat, the semi screwed on cap popped off, creating a puddle on the passenger's side. I quickly retrieved it my ears began to make sense of the words being spoken to me. The man was wearing a rangers uniform and I opened the window a crack. "You Ok ma'am?"

I nodded sluggishly turning on the interior light, "Just having a nap, I'll move on now... long drive ahead." I added awkwardly. There was concern in the man's eyes but he nodded curtly, stepping back from the truck as I fired up the engine and pulled away. I glanced once in the rear view mirror to see him watching me drive away, the beam of his torch aimed at the back of my truck, the number plate. He probably thought I was a runaway, and he would be right. However no-one knew that I was technically missing yet. the fast pounding of my heart began to slow.

The mountains and forest soon gave way to the great plains. There was so much history written upon this land, The scars that lurked beneath the fields of grain. I daydreamed, trying to imagine what it would have been like with Buffalo grazing upon the arid tundra. I got lost in my thoughts at the long endless straight run, until I noticed I had not seen a gas station in some time, and the needle was dead on empty. I gulped and my hands began to sweat. A sign came into view, Havre - 10 miles. That's when I began to panic. Did these old trucks have a reserve tank? Oh my Lord why didn't I stop at the last gas station in Shelby. Back then I still had half a tank but at least I wouldn't be in this situation. I almost laughed out loud, This was the most I had to worry about, God, I have had Vampires hunting me down and trying to kill me. This...this was nothing.

I know not much has happened yet, sorry if it's boring, it'll get better, (I hope) . I realize I am messing with Bella's character, in an attempt to create some internal conflict. See this as a road to self discovery which will end in the nightmare that is Silent Hill, will she face her demons, or break? Shes gotta have some conflict that will be reflected in SH's otherworld otherwise there's no point. Read and review, as it won't get any better without reader input. Let me know if you see any glaring mistakes or something just doesn't read right and I will try to fix it, So far I haven't done much to warrant the M rating except for some bad words, however the story has only just started.