A/N: Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts through this difficult time. In return, I bring you a chapter. One more chapter after this one.

Bella at 16

Ah, to be sixteen and with so much on the horizon!

Bella could not believe her luck. She possessed not only the benefit of wonderful parents, but what she hoped to be the first of many successes in her hobby.

Bella decided to not only enjoy her flying trips with the Creature, but to photograph the bird subjects she came across as well. She found great delight in snapping tiny moments of their wings fluttering or cradling a worm in their mouths. There was nothing more beautiful to her than seeing an animal in its true natural form. Bella also had an inkling that others would love to see them in their glory as well.

She found there was a need for some of these images in numerous publications. Bella made inquiries and sent many a photo out. Once she received agreements, Bella delivered the pictures and received word they would be used in upcoming issues.

She found the work load and compensation were sufficient enough to save up and spend at her leisure. She had received an allowance from her parents as she grew, but earning her own keep brought a sense of pride to our fair Bella. The first true signs of her impending independence brought a sense of pride to her.

In a matter of weeks, Bella would be off to college. She hoped to think she had nerves of steel, realizing that she would be on the other side of the country from her parents. Bella had been accepted to an Ivy League school, provided a guardian lived within the vicinity of the campus. For Bella Swan was of a tender age not seen in many universities.

It so happened that Bella had an Aunt Cheryl who resided no more than a half hour from said school. Along with this good fortune, she got on well with her aunt.

She was so very lucky indeed. There was so much to look forward to.

However, Bella could not but feel anxious about the Creature and his role in all of this. Bella hoped to be subtle and test him. Would he go along with Bella to the other side of the country or remain in the forest he had told her he could not leave? There had to be a way, surely there must be.

Annabelle reassured her that the Creature and Bella had a love story. Love stories never ended tragically or unhappily, especially the one of Bella and the Creature. He could not abandon her and expect it to turn out happily. There was no other way.

But what if their love story was one of resilience and strength grown over distance? All of the sudden, Bella felt her luck shifting and changing at that thought. She would have everything dreamed of by countless humans, but the one thing that mattered the most to her would not be around. This was not a possibility. The Creature must be within a reasonable distance.

Bella sat at the edge of her bed, the throbbing in her chest traveling in the form of a lump to her throat. The tiny warbler, loyal to her all these years, provided ill comfort as she contemplated about the future she could be faced with.

A life without the Creature? It was preposterous. It could not be.

Bella had found a hole in her plan and did not know if she was capable of mending it.

//////////////////////

Bella woke up especially early to talk with the Creature. She had to convince him to journey with her to the other side of the country somehow. Surely he could travel along with her, flying through trees until he reached her new residence. And what perfection was there that Cheryl lived scant distance from a forest in her backyard.

Her plan came to a halt early in the day when she happened upon a note lying next to her on a pillow.

Dearest Isabella,

I regret to inform you that I will not be in the forest for the next three days. I have important matters to attend to with my family.

Do not fret; they are not of serious consequences. There is a mere misunderstanding that must be remedied.

Please know that you are in my thoughts and I miss you terribly already.

Love always,

Creature

The notes that Bella received from the Creature always brought happiness to her, but this one did nothing but infuriate. Why must he play games?

"It's because he cares." Annabelle, oh that meddler of meddlers had to appear now!

Bella made no move to speak to her. While it was cruel to think, she was glad for Annabelle's blindness. Bella had decided to stand up and exit the room whenever Annabelle entered. It was childish, but the way this imaginary figment was behaving was not mature either.

"Bella, please don't leave the room. I may be blind, but I am not stupid."

She did not listen. Bella walked down the stairs, seemingly without a care in the world. It was almost lunch time as Bella decided to head to the kitchen. Her mother was busy preparing a tuna salad sandwich with homemade chips for Charlie.

"Good afternoon, mother." Bella greeted her with a quick nod. She opened the cabinet door and grabbed a can of soup. Bella proceeded to open the can and warm it up in a pot. She moseyed about; acting like no one was there in her head, even when Bella could not simply imagine its existence.

"Oh hello, Bella." Renee was not in the mood for pleasantries, even with her own daughter. "Could you get your father's glass? I forgot to bring it in with me."

Bella proceeded to the living room, where her father was stationed in his armchair. The television blared loud and clear with a sporting event, but Bella was not aware of what kind.

"Good afternoon, father." Bella snatched the glass off the coffee table next to him.

Charlie's head hung heavy, barely able to register a nod for Bella. It seemed every year since the freak incident at the gas station; he had become even wearier. There were innumerous sleepless nights and 'what ifs' that Charlie wrestled around with in his head. The mystery of that incident might have been intriguing, if it didn't make him depressed.

Over the years, he could not give up on it. This in turn put a strain on his marriage. Charlie had a clean record before the shooting. He felt he simply could not be the same Chief he was before. There was no desire to continue to be the workaholic family man that he had been. In the end, Charlie's pride had been shaken to its very core. He no longer wanted to be the Chief and insisted on demoting himself, feeling unfit for the field. Instead, he slaved away at a desk and answering calls.

Bella turned on her heels back to her mother. She glanced in the glass, noticing remnants of pop. Bella twisted open a bottle and poured it in. She was on her way out when her mother called her back.

"Oh Bella, don't bring that out yet. Your father likes a little extra something in it." Renee didn't dare tell Bella what it was, for fear it would upset her.

"Okay." But Bella was not of the ignorant kind.

Bella continued to watch over her soup, letting it boil to a comfortable temperature.

"Bella?" Renee added ice to Charlie's drink.

"Yes mother?"

"You know I hate to drive. I'm terrible at it, especially that stick shift your father insists on. Anyway, I was wondering if you can drive your father to work tomorrow."

"Isn't tomorrow the anniversary of the…?" The mention of what caused Charlie distraught was never uttered in the house.

"It is. But," Renee leaned back against the countertop, completely weathered and worn. "I'm beat, Bella. I feel my joints aching all over and I've been very queasy. I might go to the doctor tomorrow." Renee sat on her words for a couple of seconds, "Actually…"

"What?"

"I could drop your father off in the morning and then go see Dr. Betty. That makes more sense."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Bella was about to offer one more way out for her mother, but a tiny, imperceptible voice inside encouraged her to stay quiet. The words swam in her head, filtered into her mouth but would not exit into the air.

Bella returned to her room with her soup ladled into a bowl.

Good girl, Annabelle thought to herself, knowing Bella would not hear her celebratory words.

/////////////////////

"Bella? Bella?" Annabelle had not stopped trying to wake her for the past half hour.

Finally, there was a stirring. "Annabelle, I insist you leave me alone and let me sleep."

"Unfortunately, I am a needy…'figment', as you call me." Annabelle detested such a degrading word.

"And I am a needy teenager who abhors being awoken from a delightful sleep. So, goodnight until dawn breaks."

Annabelle had grown from concerned to antsy in a matter of minutes. Her emotions were temperamental, but she knew she must speak with Bella before she saw the Creature again in the morning.

She had a bad feeling that the timing of their conversation would be of terrible consequences. But even Annabelle had doubts about many of her emotions lately. They were relentless and untamable. Often times, Annabelle had to still herself and truly think about her words before even expressing them to fair Bella Swan.

This uneasiness in turn filled Bella's insides in the form of butterflies. She did not know how to approach the Creature with her dilemma. Traveling great distances required great commitment and willingness. Most of all, strong feelings. There was no time to side step the issue. Bella had to know if the Creature truly felt how she did. The words were there, but can the Creature physically show it in one way or another?

So on this fair day, weeks before her departure for college, Bella made the decision to finally ask the Creature for a physical sign of his devotion.

Because what is for a true sign of love than with a simple kiss?

"Do you like me in the way I like you?"

"My feelings for you are ones we mutually share."

"Then why do you not act on them?"

"Dearest Isabella, you are acting on chemicals in your body that are out of need and not want. It is not my intention to be only yours in the summer, but for all seasons." The Creature knew it dangerous for Bella to ask of such a request. It was as lethal as the very nature he possessed inside of him.

Bella, irritated that he will not do the honor of kissing her, folded her arms in child-like disappointment. "My heart is in this too. Do you think I would deny you it?"

"No, you will not. This I know to be true."

"I have been as patient as any one person can handle. I fear that my decision to hold off higher education was out of vain."

The Creature could not answer, for he knew it would not affect the current outcome. He knew he would follow where she went, but she did not know how far he would travel. Was he only in existence in the town of Forks? Must he always have green surround him? Unknowns that frightened her and prevented any risk she may take. But what good is living when you are afraid to do so?

"Isabella, you are free to do as you wish. My opinion should not matter to you as much as you think it should."

Bella, as scolded by his words as hot water on her skin, jumped from her spot. "Is this what I am hearing? Your opinion on the matters in my life has been nothing short of dictation. You have been telling me that our time is to be filled with patience until you say so."

"No, it is until you say so. My words are cited to you from the directions you will go in." He had no way of making her see that everything she did told the very future they would have.

"How do I know that all of this has been for naught? How am I to know that you could be the marionette to my puppet? If that is the case, then I'm afraid I must be off." Bella strode quickly to the outer circle of their area.

The Creature did not let her get very far though. He blocked her path, stepping toward her as her back hit a moss covered tree.

Bella absorbed the desperate trembling from his body. His breath fanned her face, igniting a deep blush upon her cheeks. His hand pressed into the decades old trunk.

"Forgive me, Dearest Isabella. My reactions are by far my weakest asset. I wholeheartedly wish so many selfish acts, but they can not be mine. Not yet."

"Not yet? Time stands in our way it seems, yet again. Time is of the essence and unfortunately, it is a spare item in my book." Bella slide to the side to make her exit, but the Creatures hand slammed down to block her way yet again.

They stood not uttering a phrase. Bella, while unable to have a crystal clear view of him, learned how to read his body language and meaning behind his words. Oh how easily decipherable his words were! Whenever he would stand close to her, he was at his wits end and aching for a favor. The times he emitted elation he would pace back and forth, animatedly talking with his hands; flashes of white hand shaped waves fluttered in her vision.

This new stance in front of her was not one she was familiar with. His face so close, if she was gifted with a look at him, she would have the ability to count his eyelashes. She traced his blurry features with her eyes. His lips easily competed with the color of honey, his tongue gently appearing from between them. His nose straight as an arrow, yet seemingly crooked in its disposition.

Those eyes, oh how they deceived her. They were as shifty as his emotions.

His emotions. What could Bella have made of them in that moment? She had witnessed many a time when a boy leaned into a girl like the Creature was. A giggle, fluttering eyelids, possibly a hand drawing a blush upon a cheek, all taking place before a kiss.

Oh he was so cruel to let her hold the apple but not take a bite!

Bella took the Creature's own advice and thought less of his opinion. Tilting her head, preparing for a fateful kiss, Bella pursed her untouched lips. Her breath hitched, her eyelids closing at their own accord. Air escaped between the thin line of his lips.

"Stop!" A voice urged, but it was not one Bella had expected to hear. Annabelle had intercepted the merging of the Creature and Bella.

The Creature closed his eyes, turning his head ever slightly to the left. His nose skimmed mere inches from her neck.

"Bella, you don't have to take any of his advice, but you must listen to what your heart is telling you." Annabelle, pleading with every ounce of energy, begged with clasped hands.

Annabelle had never appeared in the presence of the Creature and her at the same time.

Bella silently vowed to have a talk with Annabelle later. She could not have the Creature think her a lunatic. What kind of person would the Creature think of Bella if she had imaginary figures in her head?

"He would never think that of you. He couldn't." Annabelle addressed Bella's plight.

"I'm sorry, I feel unbearably ill today. There is something not right that I can't quite place." Bella confessed to the Creature, her lips trembling, tears that threatened to fall.

Bella became ill with fear early in the day. Upon seeing her parents off merely an hour ago, she grew even more uneasy and out of place. She could not put a finger on it.

"Has there been an occurrence you are unsure of?"

Bella sidled her way from underneath his cage of arms. The presence of Annabelle in her life was never made aware to the Creature. She had in no way thought he ever needed to know. True, Annabelle was aware of the Creature; how could she not know when Annabelle existed in Bella's mind? There bound to be overlap.

The boldness of Bella's previous actions still freely flowed in her veins, as she made the decision to inform the Creature of who had been living in her mind.

Bella nervously played with her fingers, pacing back and forth. Her feet formed a distinct patch in the leaf covered dirt. "Creature, I'm unsure how to confess this. My mind is not of normality. There is a separate entity that exists in my mind. She…she tends to express her opinion in ways that frighten me. Every emotion is accentuated and borderline desperate. There is only so much one person can withstand without feeling anxious. And I feel on edge all the time now with her constant need to direct my life."

The Creature, his hands clasped behind his back, strode in a wide circle around Bella. His head bowed at the ground. "Can you conclude that it is desperation and not the simple fact that she could be passionate?"

This was not the way she thought their conversation would start. "Aren't you at all concerned with a fake figment in my head?"

"Nothing about you is fake, Isabella. I appreciate all parts of you, including and especially the ones that are imaginary."

Annabelle giggled. Bella had not heard Annabelle give so much as a wide smile before; a giggle was surely an intriguing surprise.

Would the Creature like to hear of this? "My figment giggled at you." This caused Bella to smile as well.

The Creature smiled. "Ah, I'm glad she is flattered." He stepped forward, gracing his hand to Bella's cheek. "Bella, never be afraid to tell me such things. Never fret because I care to know what happens to you. All of you."

Bella sought out his eyes. She was relieved to see they were on the gold side this day. "I won't. But…I wanted to talk to you about---"

"Shhh, wait." The Creature held his hand out for Bella to halt her words for a moment. He did not move for a loud murmur of voices was heard not too far away from where they were.

"What is it?" Bella could not decipher any sound. Her human ears would not be able to.

"We will have visitors in a matter of moments. I must not be here when they come. Isabella?" Gripping her shoulders, the Creature urged her to heed his warning. "You must promise me you will come back."

"Why would I not?"

"Just promise you will." The Creature insisted, hoping to all that would hear him that she would find it in her heart to return to him after the day was over.

"I promise."

"Now, go. Go! They are looking for you." The Creature disappeared among the trees, not even a rattle of leaves from a nearby bush signaled his exit.

Bella's sight returned as she began her journey back. Her legs carrying her as fast as they could, her feet feeling for the soft patches of Earth beneath. Her heart raced and her breathing sped up.

"Bella!" A woman's voice beckoned to her.

A chorus of tenors bounced across the vast greenery. There had to have been at least a half a dozen people looking for Bella.

Bella recognized only one of them; the soothing voice of Dr. Betty.

But Dr. Betty was to see Renee about her illness? Why was Dr. Betty helping comb the forest for Bella? Where were Charlie and Renee? They would certainly be searching for her before anyone else.

Bella ran faster, finally shouting out, "I'm over here."

"Bella? Stay where you are and we'll come to you." A booming male voice called back.

Within that minute, Bella was greeted by two faces, first Dr. Betty and Officer Miles.

"Dr. Betty? Miles? How did you know where to find me? What has you so urgently seeking my presence?"

The two adults shared a look that only those who saw the most awful thing could share.

"Bella, I can not express how sorry I am with what I am about to say." Officer Miles paused before continuing. "Your mother and father were involved in a car accident a couple of hours ago. They suffered trauma to their bodies that was irrevocable and they passed away from their injuries shortly after the accident."

The words floated in the atmosphere, Bella failed to comprehend them.

No, no, how could this be! Bella could not form any vocabulary of her own. They fluttered around in her throat but came up as choking sobs. She held her stomach, holding her insides in place. Bella nearly collapsed before Dr. Betty prevented her from falling over.

Bella knew she had a bad feeling this morning. She couldn't place but oh how she wished she had! Why, why?, was all she could find capable of thinking.

She struggled to be released from the doctor's arms. "Let me go! Let me go!" Bella ran, tripping over a root before regaining her balance.

"Bella come back!" Miles shouted, but Bella would not hear it.

She dodged thin branches hanging in her way. She stumbled into trees when the sobs would not let up enough for her to control her legs. This was the cruelest of fates, why must this happen to our fair Bella Swan!

Her vision blurred as she let the salty tears roll even more. He was nearby, but she did not want to face him.

"Let me see! I can not make it back home with clouded vision!" The scratchiness in her voice could not be cleared.

Bella now had the temporary blindness to handle. Beyond that, she ventured into a nearly obscure part of the forest that she never explored. It would be near impossible to reach her house under such conditions.

"Let me go! Please, I beg you. Why won't you let me go?" Bella collapsed against a redwood, standing tall and proud above her. The cries inside distorting her face into a beautiful sad lullaby.

The sky soon felt her pain and sent tears of it own down on her. It mourned for poor Bella Swan, lost and parent-less. It added to her current despair; being lost, wet and cold in the woods.

"If you loved me, you would help me home." Bella whispered to the night, thinking that he would not hear her. True love can not live over any measure of distance; it must be huddled close and safe. "Love does not run away."

Bella listened to the rain cling onto the dirt, forming tiny puddles of mud. The trees soaked in the moisture, the wet feeding the moss. What else was there for her to do than to wait out the storm and the tragic incident of what she once thought was true love?

"Bella, you must get up." Annabelle, ever so quiet through all this, lent an unusually kind encouragement. "You'll catch a cold."

"It is of no bother to me." Bella stared at the air, unable to understand anything at the moment.

"I will help guide you home. You have to trust me though." What had come over Annabelle to be a kind hand to Bella?

"Forgive me, but trustworthy is the least quality I associate you with."

"You must let me help you this way. I am aware I've done unforgivable things, but, I have never steered you wrong from home."

"How will you help me? You are as blind as I am."

"Once blindness takes over, your other senses heighten and help you. I know this forest like the back of my hand, while I'm blind."

Bella was not in the mindset to think of a better solution, as she stood to follow Annabelle.

"There's a misshapen branch up ahead, you are only about two miles from your home." Annabelle dictated, taking in the familiar woodsy area.

"In about two paces, make a left."

Within moments before twilight, Bella safely reached the edge of the forest leading into her backyard. Her sight returned as she was met with a line of faces, staring at her with remorse.

"Bella, we are so sorry." Her grandma, Mary stepped forth to embrace her. Tearful sobs broke her calm façade. "This should not have happened."

This among so many things, Bella thought. Among oh so many things that should not have taken place.