Hey everyone. Again, sorry about the hiccup in updating. That was the website's fault, not mine D8

Unfortunately, this late chapter IS my fault, and I apologize -.-; But I have an excuse! Between going from France to Italy for spring break, and then Scotland for Easter weekend, and then focusing on both my school work and all the stuff I'm doing here in Oxford... Yeah. I've been a busy bee. Not to mention I am now becoming obsessed with Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt. That doesn't really help me much. But regardless! I've only about three weeks left, and then I'll be back in the USA, and back to my normal(ish) updates.

Five: Through the Darkness

There wasn't anything particularly bad about Bella's job, other than the fact that she got called in from her days off on occasion. It paid decently for what it was, and there were certainly worse jobs than what she had, not to mention that not every workplace let you have free ice cream. Yet, as she finished up her final day, two weeks after her notice was put in, Bella couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. Relief in the idea that she wouldn't have to worry about paying the bills again this month, or worry if her electricity would be shut off, or worry that she would get to work on time. She said goodbye to her coworkers and boss, and folded up her apron for the final time. One of her fellow employees, Emily, actually got her a little "goodbye" ice-cream cake, which they all shared in the break room. It was a pleasant way of ending her job, to say the very least. But once it was over, she said her final goodbyes, and then headed out of the ice cream shop for the last time.

Stepping out into the cool, brisk air, Bella found herself hugging her arms. It was chillier than most nights, especially since they were already heading towards summer, but Bella pulled on the jacket she had taken with her before starting her walk home. Hands in her pockets, she walked with a little spring in her step, and a smile on her face. Life had just seemed to get so much better after Edward's gift. Truly, she felt the wind beneath her wings. She was ready to fly. In fact, her good mood was enough to distract her from her nightmares.

Yes... they still appeared in her sleep from time to time. Even after her slew of happy days, her nights were still plagued with such terrible images of villains long since past. Namely Alec. That man still sent such shivers down her spine. Just thinking about him caused her to be even more cold, her body shaking to try and warm herself. She figured she'd pick up the pace to help it along. But to no avail. As she walked, the wind pushed back her bushy hair, roughly biting at her neck and face. She turned the corner and was about to head back to her apartment building, when something of a shock ran up her spine and stopped her dead in her tracks.

She was a mere block away from home. She could see her neighbor's window burning in the dark brick. And yet, she could not bring herself to move. Not just yet. Something kept her there. Something that constricted her muscles and kept her from walking. As though her eyes were magnets, her gaze was drawn to the dark ally way that sat just beside her. What was she looking for? What was even there? Yet another harsh blast of wind hit her and she embraced her arms even tighter. That's when she saw something. Off in the distance of the ally. Something moving.

She should run. She should turn around and run back to safety. Back where she could lock her doors and windows and hide in her room for the rest of the night. Yet her feet began to drag her forward. Why? Why was she drawn to this horrible feeling? The thing she saw move moved yet again, making its way from the right hand side to the left. Cloaked in shadow, Bella could make out close to no details about the figure, other than the fact that it was hunched and the size of a human being.

Her body now shook for reasons other than the cold as she stepped forward, eyes wide. "Hello?" she called softly. The figure grunted, swaying on its feet before making its way towards her. Bella froze as it approached, a fear grasping at her heart. Its swagger was lopsided and sloppy, and its noises were deep. Almost growling. Bella's mind began to kick in bit by bit as she backed away. The thing continued to come at her, a ragged, horrid breathing escaping it with every step. Finally, she had hit the safety of the street lamp, and the creature appeared in the lamp light as well. Bella almost felt relief when she realized that this was nothing more than a drunkard.

"Heeey pretty lady..." he gushed, his eyes yellow from alcohol. "How you doin', eh? Ya wanna lil' fun - ?" Thankfully, as he reached for her, his balance got the better of him and he fell to the ground. Bella jumped back and saw him stay there. As he refused to move, Bella almost felt a bit of disappointment in this realization. She didn't know why, but something was telling her that whatever was in that ally could have... Well... she didn't quite know. Perhaps she had a feeling that something there could have given her more insight in her dreams. Now that she could step aside and look at such an idea rationally, she realized just how stupid that thought was. Irritated with herself, she turned from the drunk and proceeded on her way home.

Walking in at the usual time, the lobby floor was deserted as it always was. A dim light hung from the ceiling above the mail boxes, which she checked before heading upstairs to her apartment. She ran through her mail, scanning over each envelope in turn. Instead of grimacing at the sight of bills, she instead smiled brightly. Taking out her key, she hummed softly and reminded herself that she and Edward were going to get that comic book valued and sold this weekend. That brought yet another rush of emotion and she sighed in love and content. She was almost sad, really, that she'd be leaving him eventually. If she could, she would make time stop for them. And let them remain as they were until the end of time. These thoughts were fanciful and childish. She knew that. Still... there was no harm in just thinking them, was there? A flight of fancy, perhaps. Something completely improbable, more than likely. So long as she understood that, she found no problem keeping them to herself.

She set her keys on the counter and began to change into her bedclothes, hoping that maybe a bit of cough syrup could give her some dreamless sleep for tonight. But just as she was brushing her teeth, her eyes caught sight of the window in her mirror. It was looking down onto the bit of street that Bella had just walked from, and where the drunkard was still laying. She wondered, vaguely, if the man would get sober before he was found by police. But just as she wandered over by the window, she saw the man stumble onto his feet, wiping himself off sloppily. He was getting ready to stumble his way back home when yet another shadowed figure loomed up behind him.

He seemed to get the drunkard's attention. The man was distracted by this other figure, speaking for a moment or two before turning to leave. But the figure's hand reached out and fell to the man's shoulder. The drunk blinked, swaying backwards before coming forwards. The hand stretched from the man's shoulder up to the man's cheek. Bella blinked, realizing what a seductive motion it was. But she remained there, staring. That hand trailed from his cheek down to his neck. The drunk man seemed powerless at this point, and merely wobbled on his feet listlessly. Suddenly, the man in the shadow's jerked, and the drunkard flailed back in surprise. But just before he could get away, the hand jerked for him and dug its nails into the man's neck. With one sharp tug, the man was gone.

Bella pulled away, closing her curtains sharply. What had she just seen? Hundreds of thousands of scenarios ran through her mind. Perhaps it was merely another drunk? Maybe there was just a small fight and Bella needn't be so paranoid. But when she replayed what she saw over and over again, she couldn't help but feel a terrible, cold feeling in the pit of her stomach. Running forward, she yanked the blinds closed and gripped them tightly in her hands. What was she even expecting? After all... she was safe here. Seattle wasn't Forks. There were too many people here. Too many smells to distract anyone who might be looking for her.

Slowly, she backed away from the window, afraid to stay too close to it anymore. Her trembling hands gripped against her bosom as she stared in between the crack of the two curtains. The dim, amber light of the lamp posts outside fell to the carpet in a hazy buzz. Throat constricting, she stared, slowly backing herself away. Then, she saw a shadow suddenly whizz by it.

Heart jumping into her mouth, Bella ran forward and yanked the curtains back, looking desperately all around. But she saw nothing. Nothing but infinite black and gray, the cold, icy colors looming about, concealing anything that may want to kill her. Still shaking horribly, Bella slowly closed her curtains and turned away from them, making her way towards the kitchen. A little calming tea should help her nerves. Turning on the stove, she put a pot of water on and then pulled out a mug and a tea bag. As she let the water heat, Bella placed her forehead on the rough surface of her fridge door, listening to it hum. Her body relaxed, and her hands dangled from either side.

That's when the phone rang.

Bella shot straight up, staring at the phone with giant eyes. It rang again. What should she do? Answer it? Slowly, ever so slowly, she inched her way towards the phone, its ominous ringing getting louder with each new jingle. She extended her hand, fingers circling the receiver. Then, she picked it up and brought it to her ear. Mouth dry and heart banging inside her ears, she swallowed.

"Hello?" she asked, her voice small. No answer came. Nothing but the sound of white noise. Her body clenched against that phone, her teeth clamping down on her bottom lip. "Who is this?" she demanded, a little more forcefully. "Who the fuck is this? I'm calling the police in five minutes if you don't tell me who this is!"

Her inquiry was greeted with only a laugh.

That laugh filled her in the worst possible way. It shook her very foundation, flooding every inch of her body with a cold, chilling fear. She knew that laugh. She knew it from her nightmares. From those horrible days in Italy, she knew it. It haunted her in her most peaceful hours. Made her paranoid of the shadows on her own walls. It was the laugh of Alec Volturi.

Slamming the phone down, she stared at it, nearly coming to tears. She stood there for a good minute before the phone rang again. In a rushed terror, she yanked the phone cord from the thing and pulled back so that she was flat up against the fridge. For some reason, she feared that it would ring again. Then, a high pitched scream hit her ears and she fell to the floor on her knees, covering her ears. It was only after the scream continued for a minute that Bella realized what it really was; her tea was ready.

Rushing up, she turned off the flame and set the pot on a different burner. Her eyes were wet by this point, her face white with fear. She quickly wiped her eyes with the heel of her hand, her breath uneasy and choppy. After she calmed herself from crying, Bella made herself a cup of tea and retired to her room. There, she locked her window, shut her curtains, and drank only by the light of the reading lamp beside her bed. Scrunched up in her warm blanket, she listened for any noise that night. But all she heard was the pitter patter of starting rain.

The sooner she got to sunny California, the better.

And so, a question. Was it really Alec Bella heard and saw? Or is this just her mind playing tricks on her? Remember to leave those lovely comments!

~T.