A/N: I know this chapter is short, but I wrote it that way for a reason. I simply wanted to convey Bella's emotions/state of mind and also give some introductory knowledge about Jacob. I will post one more chapter; if you guys want to read more, I'll gladly write more. Also there is some adult language in this chapter.
I can't believe this.
No…I refuse to believe this is happening.
How could this happen?
I should never have left him.
This can't be real.
Last night Seth Clearwater came to my motel room to tell me the news. I almost didn't recognize him, he'd grown into such a handsome young man. Seth had to be around six foot-two, his muscles were more defined and complimented his beautiful copper skin, and his black hair cropped short. Seth must be about twenty years old now.
The look on his face was one I'd never seen before; he was usually smiling with a boyish gleam in his eyes.
"Seth? How'd you know I was here? Actually, what are you doing here?" I asked quizzically.
"Bella…I…I need to tell you-something happened…"
My stomach plummeted. I began to overheat and my hands immediately felt clammy. Blackness began to encircle my vision. I knew I was going to pass out soon if he didn't spit it out.
"What is it Seth?"
"Bella…I'm so, so sorry…Charlie…H-he…He didn't make it. He's gone, Bella."
I don't remember much else after that. The next thing I know we're back at the hospital.
The doctor told me that, after I left, my father developed a high fever caused by an infection in his wound. It didn't make any sense. How could this be? They said the bullet had gone clean through him. Apparently, a piece of shattered bone in his abdomen had caused bleeding that wouldn't stop, leading to the infection; they couldn't get his temperature down.
When I arrived at the hospital Sue and Leah Clearwater were there, along with Deputy Hodges, and Billy Black.
Why were Sue and Leah here? I vaguely remembered my father mentioning he'd been spending a lot of time with Sue. Suddenly I felt pained for Sue; first Harry and now my father.
"Where is he?" I cried pushing through outstretched arms. I needed to see Charlie. I needed to prove to myself that this was some sick dream of my subconscious. I had to wake up. How could it go from me talking to him and holding his hand, to suddenly he's dead?!
With trembling hands I shoved past the Dr.'s surrounding his bed.
And then, I saw him.
I collapsed over his body, sobbing. Multiple hands tried pulling me back, but I swatted them away, screaming at them. I heard a deep voice telling them to leave me be.
"Charlie! Dad! Please… Please dad… wake up, wake up, wake up! No dad, no, this-this can't be real, please, wake up!"
I couldn't hear anything. I couldn't even see him clearly. His hands were already so stiff and so cold. I squeezed him tight, unable to let go. Sobbing into his neck I pleaded for him to wake up. Begging him not to leave me.
"I'm so sorry dad! I was so selfish to leave you alone. I'm sorry I didn't call you like I should've. I'm sorry I never came to see you!" I cried in a shaking voice, gasping for air. "I love you so much dad. Please come back, I need you!"
I could hear others in the room crying. Hushed voices saying things I didn't want to hear. I lifted my head, wiped my eyes with my shirt, looked at my father and kissed his forehead for a long moment. The world around me was literally spinning and the walls felt like they were slowly closing in on me. My heart was constricting painfully and my breathing became staggered. I slowly stood up and with narrowed vision, I walked out of the room.
Jacob's POV
Six years… Six fucking years and she left me with only a note to say goodbye.
After she left, I took over the Pack as Alpha; I made Sam my second in command and Paul my third. Whether Sam wanted it to happen the way it did or not, he was relieved to not be responsible for so many lives anymore. I had found her note in the garage, sitting on my toolbox under a wrench. I knew she needed time to heal after that fucking tic had nearly drained the life out of her; and for a little while she looked like herself again. I never suspected she'd take off without warning. For weeks I tried to find out where she went but Charlie wouldn't say.
"Tell me where she is Chief" I demanded through gritted teeth, trying to control the tremors radiating through my body. I wanted to tear her fucking house apart to find any clues that would tell me where she was.
"Jake as much as I wanna tell ya, I can't. I made a promise to Bella. She needs to figure this out on her own without anyone else messin' with her head."
I must have ran the entire coastline of Washington and Canada after that.
Now she's back, mourning her father's death.
Life really is a bitch.
I got to the hospital after Billy called and told me what happened. I couldn't believe it. I could hear Bella screaming before I even got near the room. I ran inside and saw a couple Dr.'s and Seth trying to pull her off Charlie; I immediately commanded them to stop. Sue and Leah were standing off to the side; Sue quietly sobbed as Leah rubbed her back trying to console her. Sue and Charlie had always been close, but a year ago it turned into something more. I hurt for Sue, knowing she lost Harry and now Charlie. I felt my brother's and sister's pain, as they watched their mother mourn yet again. They just couldn't catch a goddamned break.
Watching Bella scream for her father was unlike anything I'd seen before; I'd seen death in many forms and I'd been the bringer of death myself over the years. No, this shook me to my core in a way that made my skin crawl all over. The room went quiet and she stood up so slowly it was like water pouring upwards. When she turned around her brown eyes were vacant, staring at no one, she walked out of the room. Seth started to follow her but I put my hand on his chest as a warning; his head bowed and shoulders slumped in obedience.
I followed her and just as she walked out the front door Bella collapsed on the ground.
"Bella! Shit!" I growled.
In one movement I was at her side picking her up bridal style, and cradled her head against my chest.