I just want to quickly apologise for the lack of review responses for the last chapter - FFN was playing up as is common for this site, and it would crash every time I hit the reply button.

I also want to apologise for the cliffhanger in the last chapter. That was mean, I'm very aware.

Enjoy!

Hereafter
Chapter 18

November 12th, 2018
6:27PM.
Bella.

The darkness had appeared again.

I was numb. Unable to move, unable to speak, unable to do anything but panic. In silence.

James was there. James was right there, standing at the door. He had his signature grin on his face, and boots in his hands. He was barefoot, no doubt to help muffle the sounds of his footsteps. He never said a word, but as soon as I screamed for Edward's help, James gave me the universal gesture for 'I'm watching you', and then walked away before Edward made it down the stairs.

He didn't believe me, he said it was all in my head, but I knew differently. I could practically smell the stale cigarette smoke that lingered on James' clothes.

It wasn't in my head. It wasn't.

Edward went to search the kitchen and something in him changed. His mannerisms and the scared look on his face told me that I was right. I knew I was right. Edward stayed in the living room with me, but every so often he would walk into the kitchen, look around, and then walk out again. I wanted to talk to him, but that was out of the question. I watched Edward make a few phone calls in the foyer, but he spoke so quietly that I couldn't hear what was being said. I think he phoned 911, and he had definitely phoned Charlie, but I don't know who the other calls were made to.

"Bella." Edward dropped down beside me - his eyes were glistening with tears, and his cheeks were flushed. I wish I could have told him not to cry, but that was impossible. Instead of talking, I took one hand away from where it sat around Luna, and brushed his cheeks delicately. "I'm so sorry, Bella." More tears appeared and dropped down his face. "I never should have doubted you, and I shouldn't have said that it was all made up. I'm so, so sorry, but I promise that we will do whatever it takes to make you feel safe again."

I needed to ask Edward a question, so I chewed away at one of my fingernails as I thought over how I could accomplish that. There was no way I could mutter a single word right now, especially not with James so close by, I also couldn't risk writing anything down - if he's watching me, then he might be able to see what I'm writing, and the consequences aren't worth it. I needed to know where Charlie was, and who I had to protect me.

Edward must have known that I was wanting to say something seeing as he handed me the pen and paper. "Don't worry about using your voice right now, sweetheart. Write down whatever it is that you're wanting to say."

I shook my head to dismiss his idea. If James saw me converse, I'd spend twenty-four hours tied to the wall, and without food, for every word that I spoke. I once spent a week with the collar around my neck because I asked to go to the bathroom. In the space of those seven days I was given a sandwich, and nothing else apart from one cup of water every so often. I was made to sit in the same soiled clothes, without any means to go anywhere or to stand up, for the entirety of that week. That is why I want to improve my muscles - I'm so used to sitting down that I almost can't remember what it's like to go on a long walk, or even run around a backyard.

Thankfully Edward's phone began to ring which gave me the answer I was looking for. I could hear the echo of Charlie's words, informing Edward that he was outside with Nora searching the perimeter. Cops were on their way here now and Charlie would come inside once they had arrived. He then asked how I was doing, to which Edward replied with: "Not good, but I'm doing my best to look after her."

Okay, so Charlie and Nora are outside… and more cops are on their way…

I should have felt protected, but I didn't.

James managed to get into the house without Edward knowing, which means he is capable of doing it again. He knows how to hunt, he knows how to hide, he knows how to pounce. It didn't matter how many policemen stood in between him and I - he'd still find a way to get me.

That single thought alone sent shivers down my spine and my body began to jitter violently. Luna sat up from my lap in order for her to put her front paws over my shoulders as if she was cuddling me. I found myself looking at every corner of the room to make sure that he wasn't in here. The curtains had been closed, every door and window bolted, yet that still didn't reassure me.

"Hey," Edward rubbed my quivering hands. "Let's find a way to distract your mind."

No. If I'm distracted it'll only make his mission easier. I need to stay alert and focused.

Again, before any of that could happen, we both were interrupted by a loud, viscous bark coming from outside. I knew it was Nora and that she was warning whoever had angered her, but Nora is such a calm dog, so I knew instantly who she was barking at. Without saying a word, Edward stood from the couch and made his way over to the window. He didn't want to draw too much attention to us, so he slyly peeked behind the drawn curtains to see what was going on.

The sound of the sirens progressing closer and closer was a calming noise, yet it still terrified me. It sounded as though there was a lot of them, which only emphasized how serious my case was.

Nora continued to bark, Edward continued to watch.

"The cops are here, love." He mumbled just loud enough for me to hear. "Nora has caught onto some sort of trail - Charlie is handing her over to one of the men to see where it leads them."

Nora remembered my scent from when I first arrived at Edward's house, she knew that that smell meant danger and had remembered it after all this time. I knew that dogs had powerful noses, but it amazed me how strong their ability to smell really was.

"Charlie is coming inside now. The next person to come through that door will be him, okay?"

Just like Edward said, I heard the clear sound of the front door being unlocked, and finally my dad was back in the room with me. He didn't waste any time in wrapping me in his arms, asking over and over whether I was okay. I nodded my head - the only form of communication that I could manage.

"Bells," Charlie kept his hand on my arm as he spoke. "I need you to be aware that all of this attention has obviously piqued the interest of the neighbors - people know about you now, so we can no longer hide from the real world."

My neighbors were the least of my worries. Majority of the people who lived around here have known me since I was a baby - I hoped that that meant they would give us the privacy we need. I was more worried about news reporters who want to get a hold of all the gossip.

"Also," Charlie continued, he seemed a little more hesitant this time. "We have people searching for that son-of-a-bitch, however they will need to talk to you. I've asked Waylon - it'll just be him, but I need you to try and tell him as much as you can."

Waylon Forge has been Charlie's friend and colleague for as long as I can remember. He played Santa one year, and is loved by everyone in town.

"Charlie," Edward spoke for me. "Bella has shut down completely in regards to communicating; she won't even write the words down. I'm not sure how she's going to talk to Waylon."

"In that case can you tell him whatever it is that you know? They need every piece of information, even down to the smallest of details."

"Of course."

The smallest of details… When I thought back to what had happened I couldn't seem to remember anything. It had all happened so quickly, and it felt as though I had blinked and missed it all. He stood there, he grinned, he left - what more is there to say?

…His boots in his hands…

He was barefoot.

He was barefoot!

I had no idea how I was going to tell them that, but I had to get that message across somehow. If he walked across my floor with no shoes on, he would have left DNA evidence, right? But did he have socks on? I don't know… dammit, I wish I could have seen his feet.

Making sure I had both Edward and Charlie watching, I slipped one foot out from under my blanket and pointed at it, in hope that they would work out what I was saying.

"His feet?" Charlie queried. "What about his feet, Bells?"

Crap. This is going to be harder than I first thought.

With my left hand I pretended to pick something up and held it high with a fist. My mind had gone blank and I couldn't think of any other way to tell them. It would have been so much easier if I had the ability to open my mouth and let all the words free.

"Holding something?" Edward guessed.

"He picked something up?"

I felt like I was playing a thrilling game of Charades - my timer was counting down and my team members were still to guess my chosen word. Unfortunately there was no lighthearted humor or friendly rivalry.

The only thing I could think of was to point down at Charlie's shoes and then repeat the 'pick up' gesture.

"He was holding his shoes!" Charlie exclaimed - the penny had finally dropped.

Edward spoke up with his own theories which matched my own. "That would explain why I never heard anything, but there would be very little evidence to find if he still had socks on - surely someone like him wouldn't be stupid enough to walk around with no socks on?"

"What shoes was he 'wearing', Bells?"

Boots. Always boots.

But there was no way to get that message across, so I let it slide and they went on to the next order of business. Charlie said that people will be dusting for fingerprints in the kitchen, so we were to stay out of there for now, and to try and keep the dogs away too.

As they talked and ran ideas off of each other, I felt my phone vibrate underneath my blanket. Most of the time my notifications are from Edward, but occasionally I would get a message from Rosalie, so I knew instantly who it was this time.

Hey, Bella - Emmett told me about everything going down this evening. I wish I could be there for you, but stay strong and remember that you have more power over him this time. I'll speak to you soon. Take care.

That explained who Edward had been talking to on the phone - of course he informed Emmett. The message from Rosalie really hit my heart, she had so much to worry about, yet she was concerned about me? I'm really not that important. The tears and tremors caught Edward's attention, so did the phone that I had dropped beside me. I snuggled my head into Luna, who still had her paws over my shoulders.

"That's a lovely message from Rosalie." Edward smiled after reading the text. "Would you like me to reply for you, and then you don't have to do the typing yourself?"

James wouldn't know I had sent the message… right? If Edward does the typing I shouldn't get into trouble… correct?

I agreed to his suggestion and watched in fascination as Edward used both thumbs to type out a reply. It amazed me how quickly he typed. Once the message had been sent, Edward showed me the screen. His message was very sweet and to the point.

Hey Rose, its Edward. Bella can't talk right now but she wanted me to tell you how much your message meant to her. Thank you for caring and we'll get in contact with you soon.

All of a sudden a knock came from the front door, it was a tuneful knock which should have told me that it was most probably Waylon, but that thought was not easy for my head to compute. I didn't think it was possible for my throat to get any tighter than it already was. I thought my heart was about to beat out of my chest, a cold sweat trickled down my body and I grabbed a hold of Edward's arm as a silent plea - begging him to stay.

"You're okay, sweetheart; it's only Waylon. You're perfectly safe."

Am I? Am I perfectly safe?

Everyone kept on telling me that, but the last time I felt 'perfectly safe' James appeared in my living room. Edward didn't believe me at first, so how can I believe him now?

Even when Waylon walked into the living room with Nora, I still didn't feel safe. James came through the back door - is that one covered? Is every entrance covered? How do I know that he isn't standing in my yard right now?

"Hey, Bella. It's so good to see you." Waylon crouched down with a warm smile on his face. It felt good to see him again, but I wish it was through different circumstances. Waylon tickled Luna between the ears before taking a casual seat beside Charlie. Nora settled at my feet as usual. "So, I just want you to tell me everything that happened this evening, sweetie, okay?" Waylon shot me a kind smile which told me to take all the time I needed.

That was when Edward took over and explained everything that he knew. How he went upstairs to get me something warm to wear, heard me scream almost instantly, and by the time he came downstairs there was no-one here but the back door was open.

"Okay, and that was when you phoned us?" Waylon asked.

"Correct."

I didn't like this - it felt far too formal and my lack of energy didn't help the situation. It was nearing eight o'clock, and that was when I went to bed every night.

Waylon took two pieces of paper out from his notepad but he kept them facing him so I couldn't see what they held. "Right, Bella, I'm just going to run a few things past you." He rubbed his palms together. "First off, we have a whole team searching the areas trying to find this guy, and they won't leave until he is caught. The dog seems to remember his scent and did lead us on a trail which we have guys following, however because we don't have an official scent we cannot bring the detection dogs out to continue the lead."

That made sense, I suppose. I was glad that Nora could help them, but it made me feel better that she was back with me.

"Now, recently the team through in Oregon did bring a guy in for questioning who fits the description you gave them. I have his mugshot here, so I want you to tell me whether this is the guy that we're looking for, or not."

I didn't want to see a picture of him - I didn't want to see him ever again. Also, did Edward and Charlie know about this? Were they told that a potential James had been found? Why was I not told? Surely that would have been important for me to know?

The anger and agitation only made my body quiver more. Before I could stop it from happening, Waylon flipped over one of his pieces of paper and… there he was. Staring at me through the paper with is evil grin and dark, murderous eyes. I didn't have to give Waylon an answer - I think it all became clear to him when I hide my face in Luna's fluffy fur. Tears stung my eyes. I couldn't take any more.

"Are you okay?" Charlie whispered, taking a hold of my hand.

With my head bent, I shook it. I needed to get out of here, but I had no possible way of going anywhere.

Waylon broke in and spoke in his caring, calming voice. "I know this is really difficult for you, but I do need to ask one more question. Is there any way you can describe what he was wearing this evening?"

"Talking or writing is not an option right now." Charlie voiced what I had been thinking.

"Okay, in that case could I give you options and you could either nod or shake your head?" I accepted his offer. "Perfect. Was he wearing a jacket?"

Nod.

"Does anything in this room match the color?"

He had been wearing a dark green, khaki jacket. Thankfully it was the same that he was wearing in the mugshot. He only ever wore that jacket, so I assumed he didn't have any others.

I pointed towards the paper that was still in Waylon's hand. "This jacket? This is the one he was wearing?"

Nod.

"Excellent. Could you see what he wore underneath the jacket?"

It took a while, but I managed to get the full outfit across by nodding and pointing out certain colors - white t-shirt, brown pants and the black boots in his hands. Waylon thanked me for all the information, and also thanked Edward for how he was 'looking after Charlie's little girl'. He promised to keep us updated, but to stay safe and keep all doors and windows locked for now.

As soon as he left through the front door, both Charlie and Edward let out an exasperated sigh. "I need a beer…" Charlie mumbled, leaving for the kitchen. The forensic scientists had finished swabbing the kitchen for evidence, so the room was once again free to use.

For the first time in a couple of hours I let Luna down to the floor. Not once in that entire time had she squirmed or even tried to get off my lap, and even when she was down beside Nora, she still sat there watching me.

"Can I get you anything?" Edward looked tired - I think he wanted the day to end too.

Was there anything that he could get me? Not really.

I wanted for all of this to end. To wake up and realize that none of this had ever happened.

But it had happened, and now there was nothing I could do apart from live my life after death. Now I continued to exist in the hereafter.

0-0

November 13th, 2018
2:49AM
Bella.

I hadn't slept.

No matter how tired I felt, my eyes refused to close. I knew that the nightmares would appear, and I refused to let that happen. I also didn't feel safe enough being alone, so instead of going up to my room, or lying on my bed with Luna, I curled up on the couch - Charlie sat in his usual seat and Edward sat on the other side of the couch with Luna in between us and Nora on the floor. I saw both Charlie and Edward fall asleep at some points, but they would jerk awake after five minutes when they realized what they had done. The police were still outside and were searching the surrounding area, but we were still to hear anything.

Charlie had heated through a bowl of mashed potatoes for me because he knew I would have been hungry, but I couldn't bring myself to eat it. There was once a moment when Victoria snuck some chicken and bread into the pocket of her pants - she had wrapped the food up in a parcel of saran wrap and threw it at me when James had left the building. She told me to hurry up and eat it, but unfortunately James returned sooner than she had expected. When he saw me eating I became his punching bag - jabs to the ribs, kicks to the stomach - you name it, I experienced it. He thought I had stolen the food. Victoria told him that she was the one that gave it to me, and because she had fed me, she received the same treatment.

I know what he is capable of, and I couldn't risk him seeing me being fed. I cared about Charlie and Edward too much, so I made a promise to myself and to them that I would not be stupid enough to eat anything. My carelessness could cost them their life, and I don't want that guilt hanging over me.

"Bells, you need to eat something."

No I don't. This is for your own safety.

Edward helped my father in his attempt to get me to eat. He held the bowl in both hands and brought it closer towards me so that it was at arms-length. "Sweetheart, you are dangerously underweight and the last thing you want is to be sent to hospital. Please, this is for your own good."

I hate the hospital, but I'd go there if it meant that you were safe.

I wish they understood why I was refusing. I would love nothing more than to take a spoonful of that creamy, buttery potato, but James told me himself that he is watching me - he can hear me if I talk, he can see me if I eat. Victoria helped me escape and we all saw how vicious her death was. If he can do that to someone he "loved", then what would he do to two complete strangers?

No, eating is not worth the pain right now.

0-0

5:16AM

Something had happened.

I'm not sure what it was, but Charlie had been having private conversations with Waylon, and Edward's phone had been ringing constantly. I wanted them to tell me what was going on, but no-one included me. I felt like an outcast. It had been going on for almost two hours and I was ready to explode.

Finally, Edward ended the call with whoever he had been talking to, and went to find Charlie and Waylon near the living room door. He tried to talk quietly, but I still managed to hear him. "He's near the outskirts now. Said he'll be here in ten minutes."

He's near the outskirts. Who is near the outskirts? Who will be here in ten minutes?

"Perfect. You have everything set up?" Charlie asked Waylon.

"Sure do. As soon as he gets here, we'll get started."

Started with what? Why wouldn't anybody tell me!

I was so pissed and annoyed with them all, so when they tried to talk to me I completely blanked them. Edward offered me a glass of water, I turned my head away from him. Charlie asked if I was warm enough, I refused to answer. If they won't include me, then I won't include them. Once those ten minutes were up I could hear the engine of yet another car pull up outside the house. Charlie snuck a peek around the curtain, he turned towards Edward and grinned. Something had pleased him, but again, I don't know what it was.

"Hey, Bells, someone is here to talk to you, if you're okay with that?"

I agreed, only because they might be able to tell me what was going on. The anxiety was flying around my body - I hadn't slept, I hadn't eaten and I just wanted some answers.

Charlie let the man into the house - he was dressed in a typical navy blue, cop uniform with a black beanie on his head. I had no idea who the guy was… until the light caught his face.

"Hey, little one!" Emmett beamed.

Emmett! Emmett is here!

Nora bounded over to Emmett, and Luna was quick to follow. "So this is the famous puppy, huh?"

"Thank you for making the trip, Emmett." Edward stood to greet his brother in a manly hug. "Especially at this time in the morning."

"It's all good, brother." Emmett fell back onto the couch beside me and allowed the dogs to jump all over him once again. "You're looking great, B, but I guess you're confused as to why I am here?"

I nodded and waited for Emmett to start talking again.

"To cut a long story short, James is running circles around the guys here - they find a lead, follow it, lose it. So late last night they phoned my station asking to borrow the clothes we have from you in order to get James' smell and get the dogs on him."

Emmett had driven all the way here just to hand over a bag of James' old clothes?

"Right now they are getting the dogs set up, getting them used to his scent and the hope is that they'll lead everyone in the right direction."

I had faith that this would work - Nora managed to do it, and she isn't even trained in tracking, so I didn't have any worries. The only thing that worried me was when Emmett said that James was running rings around everyone. Once again, he could be closer than we all realize.

0-0

11:05AM

Nora's barking broke me from my five minutes of sleep.

Her curious bark quickly turned into a growl, followed by a ferocious snarl.

I couldn't describe the feeling as the fear washed over me. It was… almost painful.

Emmett and Charlie jumped into action and followed Nora as she ran from the room.

"It's okay, sweetheart. Deep breaths, deep breaths." Edward stroked my arms in attempt to calm me down, but I couldn't focus on anything apart from the continuous barks that flowed through from the kitchen.

James was back. He was here, he was watching me, and he wasn't giving up.

"Hey, look at me." Edward palmed my cheek to turn my face in his direction. "Emmett is armed - if James even dares to step foot inside this house, he won't be standing for long."

I appreciated what he was saying, but it's not as easy as that to believe it.

"I'll never let anyone hurt you, okay? You are so well protected right now. One man cannot outrun a team of highly-trained cops."

The barking continued.

My fingers had started to bleed from the amount that I chewed on them.

I couldn't block out the noise, the pain, or the constant fear.

Edward brought me into his chest and held me close in an attempt to soothe my temors. I think he kissed my head, but everything had swarmed into one.

"Cover your ears, love."

Why? Why should I cover my ears?

Of course, when someone tells you to do one thing, you do the complete opposite. So instead of covering my ears, I pulled away from Edward's chest in order to hear better.

Barking, shouting, cursing.

What was going on?

"Bella, please, cover your ears."

"Get on the fucking ground! Right now!"

That was Emmett.

"Sweetheart, please, you don't want to hear this."

That was Edward.

Despite what he was saying, I did need to hear this. I needed the closure and the definitive proof that James had been caught.

More barking.

More shouting.

More cursing.

And then… nothing.

No barking, no shouting, no cursing.

Nothing. Silence.

For the first time in six months, I finally had some silence.

0-0

I'm not going to lie, I found that really difficult to write.

But yay Nora! I think that dog deserves yet another shining star, am I right?

Let me know what you thought, and thank you for reading!