Bella searches for the Cullens
Jacob left me a week ago, dad died yesterday and I just got the call of Renee's death. I'm truly alone now. I look around in the small kitchen and just sit here expressionless. Not good enough. I don't want you to come. Edward's words echo through my head. I shake my head and stand up, pacing. I'm waiting for a lawyer to come… they want to talk with me about Charlie's will and the plans for his funeral. I found Charlie yesterday and I know it was a vampire who killed him. He was sitting in his cruiser on the road, the front smashed completely in the shape of a human (or vampire) and his neck was snapped. He was still warm when I found him. I shudder and come out of my mental discussion as a light knock is heard on the door. I open it and let the lawyer in.
"Hello miss Swan. I'm sorry for your loss." He says kindly and I nod a little.
"Thank you." I whisper and we sit down at the kitchen table.
"My name is J. Jenks and this is Charlie's will. He has left everything he has to you. That includes a five year amount of money for this house and a savings account for college. He told me to say he loves you deeply and will always be watching over you." Jenks say and I nod a little as I wipe away a tear from my cheek. "Well if you want something, here is my number. I am sure you have things to do so I will not bother you anymore." He says and I walk him to the door.
I want Edward, I want my family, I want to be safe. Maybe I should try to call them?
It's not the first time you have tried, Bella. A voice in my head warnes me. I just sigh and pick up the phone, calling Carlisle. Not even a tone comes through before they say the number is disconnected. I feel my knees go weak and hug them tighter. Maybe the vampire that killed Charlie will kill me? I'm probably not that lucky. I start crying violently, rocking myself and just lay there and wait. The room slowly darkens until it becomes ink black and a few hours after that it starts to lighten again. I should get up. Charlie's funeral is today. I get up on my feet and walk up the stairs mechanically, pulling out a black dress from my wardrobe. I dress myself quickly and then I drive to the ceremony. Charlie wanted a cop burial so that is what he gets. As I park I see that everyone is there, the whole town is mourning their Chief of police.
"Bella!" Someone yells and I turn around expressionless, almost back to my zombie state. It's Billy. He rolls towards me slowly and takes my hand. "I am so sorry about Charlie, Bella." He says as he squeezes my small hand in his large ones.
"I am too, Billy." I say quietly and my eyes flicker to Jacob who is standing behind him. He looks pained when he meets my eyes and I quickly drop my gaze. "I think you should know that I got the word yesterday that Renee has died." I say to Billy and he shakes his head.
"I am so so sorry, Bella. " He says and I nod a little before I turn and walk towards the ceremony.
The ceremony was beautiful and quick. I start to drive home but suddenly I find myself in front of the Cullen driveway. I turn in on it and drive up to the abandoned house. I start sobbing, curling up in my seat as I think of all the happy memories with them. I just want my second mom and dad, I want my siblings, I want Edward. I start rocking more violently. Maybe I should try finding them? Maybe they would stay with me for a while at least. I just need to see them again. Will they be mad if I do find them? I probably wont find them anyway… They are vampires and are very good at moving away and disappearing. It would give me something to do… Damn it! I got to try! I get out of the car and breath in deeply as I walk towards the house. I open the door slowly, it's unlocked. As I walk in, I realise that all the furniture is still there. The only difference since my birthday, the last time I was here, is that it's dusty now. I walk up the stairs and head straight for Edward's room. I take another deep breath before I walk in. The room instantly joggs my memories and I fall down to my knees, hugging my chest to hold me together. Their cousins. The Denali's from Alaska. They are my only shot. I remember and then I stand up on my weak, wobbly legs. I need to buy a safer and faster car, pack some stuff and then I'll drive to Denali in Alaska.
I hurry out to my truck, starting the loud engine and driving home. I quickly start calling car shops to find a reliable but cheap car. I find one quickly and decide that I'm going to pick it up in an hour. I take the stairs in three steps, quickly finding my suitcase and throwing all the clothes I have in it. Then I get my toiletries and all the money I and Charlie have stashed in the house. In half an hour I'm ready. At the car shop they buy my truck and I buy a small fiat and get on the road
After a week I arrived in Denali, Alaska. I get out of the car by a small restaurant and stretch a little. I must be crazy. I drive to Alaska and just expect to be able to find another group of vampires? I eat lunch as I try to figure out the next step of my plan. Where do I find vampires? Probably somewhere away from humans since they are 'vegetarians' and in a stunning house since they probably have a lot of money as well… Maybe I could ask if someone knows the Denali's? The waitress comes over to take my plate away and I stop her briefly.
"I'm looking for some old friends of mine… you wouldn't happen to know where the Denali family lives?" I ask and she smiles curiously.
"I do. They live about 10 minutes north of here. If you drive along that road until you are outside the city you will take the next right after that. It's a very small driveway so you might not see it." She says as she points at the main road outside. I smile gratefully to her and pay her before I grab my bag and walk out. I drive out of town, the houses slowly becoming increasingly further and further away until they disappear. Another few minutes and then I see a small opening in the forest, very similar to how Cullen's driveway looks. I turn in on it and drive slowly towards the house as I try to calm my speeding heart. As I park in front of the huge timber house, the door opens and a beautiful woman with caramel colored hair looks confused at me. I smile politely to her and feel a little more at ease when I see her amber eyes. I get out of the car and walk slowly towards her until I'm in front of her.
"Hello, my name is Bella. I'm trying to find the Cullen family…. do you know where they might be?" I ask and she looks stunned at me.
"I'm sorry, Bella. I don't know where they are. I'm Carmen, why don't you come in?" She says softly and I nod and walk in after her. We get seated in the living room and she studies me quite curious. "How do you know the Cullens?" She asks and I smile a little.
"Family friends, but we lost contact when they moved." I say and she nods calmly. "Do you have any idea where they might have moved if they didn't move here?" I ask and she crosses her legs and leans backwards as if she needs to think about it.
"No, I don't have any idea." She says, but I can see that she is lying.
"You don't have any way of contacting them?" I ask and she shakes her head.
"They come and visit every once in a while. I'll make sure to mention you when they come by." She says and I nod.
"I'll get out of your hair. Thank you for your time." I say as I get up and she smiles kindly and walks me to the door. Where the hell am I going to go now? I only know two other locations where vampires might be… either in Italy or Texas. Italy because Edward mentioned that the Volturi lives there and Texas because Jasper was from there. Hm, maybe Texas is a good start… I think Jasper told me one time that he had friends there. Maybe he went there because he felt guilty about my birthday. I sigh as I drive towards a motel. I'll sleep here for tonight and then I'll book a flight to Texas tomorrow.
I walk into my room when I have paid for it and then I drop down on the bed. I pull out the computer I took from the Cullen house and then I find a flight early in the morning and books it… it draws from one of their accounts. I shrug. Maybe they'll understand I want to talk to them if they see suspicious withdrawals from their accounts. I fall asleep.