Authors note:
Thank you so much for the reviews etc! You guys are all amazing. Shorter chapter, but I'm really busy at work this weekend. Apologies!

Disowner:
Everything recognisable in this story all have their respected owners. If you are unfamiliar with anything then the chances are it's mine. Savvy?

Chapter three

Going to sleep in the evening, alone, is hard for Bella. But waking up alone and leaving a dream where Edward is safe and home can be just as challenging. Bella sits, wrapped in her sheets for a short while; adjusting to the new day and going through everything she needs to do before working the night shift at the diner. Why open a small town diner until three in the morning when no-one drives on these roads past twelve is beyond her, but it brings in the money so she can't think too much about it.

Freshly showered and dressed, Bella heads to the kitchen for some much needed coffee. She imagines Edward leaning over the breakfast bar, or drinking milk straight out the carton. Before, when he did that Bella complained about getting germs in the milk and why it was so hard to get a glass from the cupboard. But now, thinking back, she just laughs as tears glisten. She would allow him to drink from the carton and even spit the milk back in if it meant he came home.

After her coffee, she slipped on some shoes and went to collect the mail, finding a small bundle slotted in the confined space. Bella waited until she could sit at the kitchen table to sort through it all. Bills that she was struggling to pay off, a birthday card from her deranged mother – a month early, but it's the thought that counts after all. The last envelope caused Bella a bit of confusion. The back was facing her and it was a kind of off white colour with faint, dirty finger prints on the flap and around the edges.

It was when she turned it over that her heart stopped.

The address was handwritten and she could identify the writing anywhere.

It was Edwards.

Her heart pounded and her hands were shaking that much that the envelope fell from her grasp and to the table.

Was this some kind of joke?

Who would do such a thing?

Bella didn't know what was going on. Nor did she want to in a way.

The only thing she did do, however, was take her phone in shaking hands and clicked on her Alice's number.

She needed a friend right now.

"Hey, Bella…Bell? Are you okay?" She hadn't even realised that Alice spoke until then, still too busy staring at the letter.

"A-Alice…I…"

"Honey, what's wrong? You're scaring me."

Tears fell in streams. "Ed…Ed…Oh, God."

"Bella, are you at home?"

"Mhmm…"

"Okay, stay right there, I'm coming over, alright? You'll be okay, Bell."

Fifteen minutes later, Bella was still staring at his handwriting, trying to work out what this meant. Her eyes stung and throat ached from all the raw emotion. Alice literally ran into the house, pulling her best friend into a hug and did her best to comfort her. Alice spotted the letter gripped tight in Bella's hand.

"Oh…my, God. Is this…did Edward write this?"

Bella wiped her nose against the back of her hand. "This is his hand writing, there's no mistaking it. But…Alice, if he can send a letter, why has it taken so long? I don't know if I want to read it…"

"Would you like me to do it for you?"

Did she? Bella didn't know. She didn't know what the letter would say, and it was because of that that she wanted it to be kept a secret more. But then Bella had to remember that this is the first contact she's had from him in three years, and at least they'd hopefully get some much needed answers. So with the tiny nod of a head, Alice took a deep breath before breaking the seal.

The letter was only on one side of a page, which Alice unfolded slowly. She gasped, covering her mouth with one hand and her eyes began to water. Bella then left the room to give Alice time to read her brother's words. What could possibly be the last they hear from him.

0-0

To my sweet, sweet, Bella,

I don't have much time, so I need to make this brief. But let me start with saying how incredibly sorry I am. I can't even begin to imagine what you're going through – what my family are going through, but maybe it's something close to how I feel. I'm so lost (physically and mentally), and I don't know what I'm going to do or how I'm going to survive.

Please, don't think I've refused to make contact in the…how long has it been? I don't know the time, the date, the year. I just know I've been away from you for far too long. I'm…hell, I don't even know where I am…but it's not nice.

This is the first time I've managed to write something, and you were the first person I thought of. I love you, so, so much. I think about you every single day. I wish I had something with me, like a picture of you that I could keep by my side…but all my belongings have gone. I only have the clothes that I'm wearing, but I don't even think that these are mine!

Shit…my time is running out. But please, promise me that you'll keep yourself safe and that you have comfort in my family – tell them I love them, please? I had to let you know that I was alive… not exactly safe…but I'm still here, love.

I love you more than I can say right now.

And come hell or high water, I will return to you.

0-0

Authors note:
Tip, don't listen to the Breaking Dawn Part 2 soundtrack when reading this…Damn, that made me cry more! So…more into Edward's mystery here…what do you think now? Let me know.

Thanks for reading.

RosieRathbone