I wrote this story a while ago, and I've kept rewriting it for some reason. I think I've finally figured out the direction I want to go in. I love survival stories! This starts slow, but it'll pick up. Hopefully you all enjoy!

Chapter One

"Okay, I've got sunscreen, first aid kit, notebooks, pens… what am I forgetting?" I said as I looked at my well detailed list. I just had this feeling I was forgetting something.

I had all of my things laid out on my bed. They hadn't made it to my large suitcase yet. I was a bit of a neat freak, but I had to make sure I had everything before I packed it.

As I was looking over my stuff, there was a soft knock on the door.

"Come in!" I yelled.

Sue, my foster mother, walked in. She was smiling, but I knew she was trying to mask her sadness with the smile. I just simply looked away.

"Are you all packed?" She asked.

I chuckled, "Nearly. I still just have to put everything in the suitcase."

"Well, I didn't come here to try and convince you to reconsider. I just wanted to make sure you had everything you needed."

"I think I do. But I feel like I'm forgetting something. I can't figure out what it is. It's driving me crazy!"

She laughed, "It's probably not too important if you can't remember it."

I shrugged, "I'm sure I'll remember what it is when I get on the plane."

"Bella, I wanted to give you something." She said, as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a little black box.

I smiled and opened it. Then stared in confusion.

"It's my house key?" I said.

She chuckled, "Yeah, but it's attached to a chain and it has our address written on it. The chain is for your locket and the key is so you never forget where home is."

I smiled and took my locket out of my pocket where it always was. I looped the locket through the chain, it now rested beside the key. I placed the chain over my head, making sure it was secure.

"It's really nice Sue," I said as I hugged her, "Thank you."

"Are you sure you want to go?" She asked as she squeezed me tightly.

"I'm really sure. I want to do this."

I knew Sue and Harry were worried about me, but this was something I not only wanted to do, but I had to do.

I had signed up for an international science program about a year ago. I hadn't expected to hear anything back, but four months ago, I got my acceptance letter into the program.

I was beyond excited. I'd be traveling to different islands and seaside areas to study the indigenous species that lived there. It was a year long program. Everyone said I was crazy to travel for a year, but this was something that I had to do.

Although I wanted to one day be a scientist, namely a zoologist, but I also wanted to find my place in the world.

My parents died when I was seven and ever since then I never knew where I belonged. I loved living with Sue and Harry, they've been the best foster parents ever, but I still felt like I was lost. As cheesy as it sounded, I wanted to find myself. And hopefully, this trip provided that.

Sue helped me pack my things into my large suitcase. Everything I owned was now packed away. Except for a few books and heavier knick-knacks, but Sue said she'd keep them safe for me while I was away.

"Bella where do you want to go for dinner?" Harry asked when he poked his head into the room.

"I'm fine with anything," I said as I zipped my suitcase.

"No, come on, it's your last night here for a while. You get to pick." He smiled.

I thought about it for a moment, "How about the Lodge?"

"The Lodge? You sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure Harry," I smiled.

"Alright," He smiled widely; that was his favorite restaurant. I wanted everyone to be happy before I left.

"Seth, Leah, are you ready to go?" Harry called out when as he walked down the stairs.

Seth and Leah were Harry and Sue's biological children. They were only eleven and nine. Sue and Harry took me in when Sue was eight months pregnant with Leah. They were like my younger siblings. I loved them dearly.

Sue and I walked down the stairs where everyone was waiting. We all piled in Harry's small car. It was a little cramped, but I wasn't one to complain.

The lodge was full tonight, which wasn't very surprising. This was the only decent restaurant Forks offered. When we walked in, I was greeted by a loud surprise. I jumped, seeing everyone I knew here.

I blushed as I looked around the Lodge. It was decorated with balloons, flowers, and a big banner that read, 'Bon Voyage!' in bright lettering. I smiled as I looked at everyone.

"Did you guys plan this?" I asked Harry and Sue.

"Yeah," Sue smiled, "We wanted to send you off right."

I hugged her tightly, then hugged Harry. Seth and Leah wrapped their arms around me as well. When I released them, everyone else swarmed us.

"Congratulations Bella," Jessica said, giving me a quick hug, "I can't believe you're actually doing this."

"Well, you better believe it. I'm leaving tomorrow morning." I smiled.

"I'm so excited for you, Bella," Angela said, giving me a tight hug. Her pregnant belly pressed tightly against my stomach.

"Thanks," I said, "And I'm excited for you too. You're having a baby."

I had to really force in the enthusiasm in my voice. When Angela announced that she was pregnant, it really caught me off guard. Then her life seemed to move in hyper speed. She married her boyfriend Ben, they bought a house, and now they were preparing for a baby.

I don't know how she was being so calm about everything. I couldn't imagine being pregnant now. That thought was terrifying. As much as I loved Forks and the people who lived here, I don't think I could be anchored down like that.

"Hey, Bells," Mike smiled as he walked up, "So, you're really leaving?"

I nodded, "I really am."

"Wow, that's really great," He said, "Good for you."

"Thanks, Mike." I smiled, "And you'll be headed to Chicago."

He chuckled dryly, "Yeah, that's true."

I squeezed his shoulder, "You're going to do great in Chicago. It was great seeing you."

I quickly dashed away from him before he could work up his nerve. I knew Mike wanted to ask me out. He had asked me a few times before, but I heard from Angela that he was preparing to ask me again. Mike was a bit hardheaded, and I'm sure he believed he could persuade me to stay if he asked me out again.

After talking to everyone, Sue and her friends started uncovering large tins filled with food. I made myself a plate and sat down with my family. Sue had fixed all of my favorites. I ate until I felt sick. I wouldn't have this food in a long time.

"I'm really going to miss you Bella," Seth said.

"I'm going to miss you too, squirt," I said, giving him a tight hug.

"Bella are you going into the Bermuda Triangle?" Leah asked.

"We'll be passing through Bermuda," I said as I nibbled on a strawberry, "Why do you ask?"

"Well, I was reading this magazine that said a lot of boats and planes have disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle," She said.

I laughed, "Don't worry Leah. Those are just superstitions. We'll be fine. And, god forbid, if something does happen to the boat there are all sorts of safety precautions we have to take. Remember I had to take that six hour first aid course? I'm prepared for anything."

"Still," She said, "People have disappeared."

I laughed again, "Gee, thanks."

"Bella, we got you a little something," Ben said as he walked up with Angela.

"Thanks you guys," I smiled as I stood to open it, "You really didn't have too."

"It's not much, but it'll certainly help." Angela laughed.

I opened the box and found a little beach bag, a big bottle of sunscreen, and a pair of sunglasses.

I smiled as I put the sunglasses in my hair.

"This is great, thank you." I laughed, "This is definitely going to come in handy." I looked at the huge bottle of sunscreen.

"You are going to some of the sunniest places in the world, so you better stock up on the sunscreen," Ben laughed, "By the time you get back, you'll be all tan."

"Welp, that's the reason I'm doing this," I giggled, "For the tan."

It seemed as though everyone had the same idea. Everyone gave me plenty of sunscreen for the trip. I had already bought three bottles, but the nine bottles I received I welcomed. I've lived in Forks my entire life, and I was as pale as a vampire.

"This is from us, Bella." Seth said as he handed me a poorly wrapped package.

I opened it and found a small silver picture frame with the four of them in it. I smiled as I stroked the picture. I remember taking this picture. We were all at La Push beach and I had gotten a new camera for my birthday. It was the first picture I had ever taken with the camera.

"It's waterproof," Leah said, "Dad ordered it a month ago. It's so you can take it everywhere. It even has a little hole in it so you can tie a string around it and never lose it."

I blinked away the tears that threatened to fall. It was perfect. Now I could keep them with me wherever I went. I gave them each a tight hug, holding on for a bit longer than necessary. But they seemed to do the same.

The party they threw for me was great. I was sad when we left. This would be the last time I would see any of these people in a long time. I wished there was a way to keep in touch, but my phone would be useless most of the time. The best way to keep in touch would be with letters, but even then, it would only be a letter a month. And I was reserving those my family.

When I got home, I packed everything in my suitcase. I stuck them by the door, with my passport sitting on top. I took a deep breath as I looked around the living room. I wanted to memorize every detail. It'd been my home for so long.

"Second thoughts?" Sue said as she walked into the living room.

"No, I'm just taking a good look around." I smiled at her.

"It's going to be different around here without you," She said, "Are you really sure you want to go? I'm sure there are other programs that aren't as long."

"I'm sure, Sue," I said as I turned to her, "I know it's scary. Heck, I'm scared. But this is something I've wanted to do for a long time. And it's only a year. Soon I'll be back. With a ton of pictures and souvenirs."

She hugged me tightly again, "I'm just being selfish. I'm so worried about you."

"I'm going to be alright, Sue," I said, "And I only have the courage to go because of you. You've helped me so much. You and Harry. You've been the best parents I could have ever asked for."

"And you've been such a wonderful daughter," She said, wiping away her tears, "I know it's hard to say what your parents would really think, but I know they'd be proud of you."

I smiled, "Thank you. That means a lot to me."

"Well, we better get to bed. We've got to get up early tomorrow." She said.

I nodded, wiping away my own tears, "Yeah. I'm going."

I walked up the stairs and crawled into my bed. Leah was already asleep beside me, snoring softly. I stroked her black hair, giving her a quick forehead kiss before I crawled into bed.

The Next Day

My alarm went off at five-thirty. I jumped out of bed did my morning routine in less than thirty minutes. Sue was already awake, making blueberry pancakes for breakfast. My favorite. Everyone else was dragging their feet.

"You have your plane ticket?" She asked.

"Yep," I said through a mouthful of raspberries.

"Passport?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Good," She said, "Don't want to drive the three and a half hours to Seattle and have to come back. You'll miss your plane."

Harry walked down the stairs, carrying Leah and Seth over his shoulders. His face was a little red and he seemed to be a bit winded.

"You're getting too old for that," Sue said.

"I'm not old," He huffed as he sat them down in their feet.

I just snorted and dug into my pancakes. When we were done eating, we piled into the car. My suitcases were sitting on the roof of the car, since there was no room in the trunk.

During the drive, I felt my gut twisting both with excitement and fear. Part of me wanted to back out, to tell Sue to turn the car around. But the bigger part of me desperately wanted to go. I needed to get out of Forks and find myself.

The big airport was buzzing with activity. We ended up finding parking in the back of the lot. My plane didn't leave until two this afternoon and it was only eleven now. But we had planned to have lunch together before I took off.

The airport had a number of restaurants in it. Once we got through airport security and checked my luggage, we settled for a burger place close to my terminal. We weren't really in a rush. My plane wasn't leaving for a while and I was already through security.

My chest was starting to hurt when one o'clock rolled around. I knew that meant it was time for my family to leave. I tried my hardest to blink the tears away, but I just couldn't. Apparently Sue had the same problem.

"You take care of yourself, okay?" She said as she hugged me tightly.

"I will. You guys do the same," I said, squeezing her just as tightly, "I'm really going to miss you guys."

"We're going to miss you too," She said, "I love you so much."

"I love you too."

She kissed my cheek and let go. Next to grab me in a tight hug was Harry.

"Don't forget to write us," He said, "And you call if you need anything. I don't care where you are, I'll be there in a second to come get you."

I chuckled, "Thanks, Harry. I know I can count on you."

"Always," He said, kissing the top of my head, "I love you Bells. Don't forget about us, okay?"

I laughed, "I could never forget my family."

I scooped Leah and Seth up in a tight hug, "I'm going to miss you squirts so much. You two be good. I'm going to write to you as soon as I can."

"I'm gonna miss you, Bella," Seth said, "Please don't forget to write."

"I won't."

"Don't forget to take pictures. We want to see everywhere you go," Leah sniffled.

I kissed the top of her cheek, "I will take pictures of everything."

I pulled away from them and slung my carry-on over my shoulder.

"I'm going to miss you guys so much! I promise I'll write as soon as I can," I said as I walked through my gate, "I'll call you as soon as I land!"

A little slow, I know. But I promise it'll get exciting by the third chapter! I'm definitely a slow burn writer, sorry! Before anyone asks, this story does have an HEA! I hope you all enjoyed, leave me a little review and lemme know what you thought! I'll be updating again on Sunday!