A/N: Set during New Moon when Bella chases Edward through the woods in an attempt to find him after he leaves her.

Chapter 2-

Bella's POV-

"Bella, are you okay?" Charlie nudged me out of the nightmare I was currently experiencing. "You zoned out on me."

I waved him off, a sigh on my lips. "I guess I could do with a walk. Fresh air and everything, you know?"

I had to find the tunnel.

That was the only way out of this mess.

I had to get out of here!

"You want me to come along?" He looked hesitant, making polite conversation while wishing for me to decline his offer. Which obviously I did.

"No. That's okay."

He plastered a small smile on his face, his eyes wandering to the inside of the house, impatient to get back in there.

"Just go." I waved him off, amusement clear in my eyes.

"Thanks." He did not waste a minute more in my company, rushing back towards his friends and family. I let out a sigh at his retreating form.

This Charlie was very different from the Charlie I had known and lived with- back in my universe. This one loved his life, for starters. He was enthusiastic and active, and happy, mainly. My father had been a depressed, not- so- old and yet very old man. He had forgotten how to enjoy life. He had forgotten how to love his family. Yes, my Charlie had loved me. But somewhere, he did not know how to love. Renee had broken him. Completely. He had just been living in the literal sense.

I was glad for him. At least someone got the good end of the stick by this exchange in universes!

With this thought in my mind, I started walking towards where Jacob Black had first found me. Climbing up a tunnel wasn't going to be as easy as falling down one, but I had to try. I could not live without Edward in my life. A universe in which he was not mine, wasn't one I could be content with. Ever. And sure, Renee wasn't the best mother out there, but I could die to give her a tight hug at the moment. Simply cuddling her and being kissed by her on the forehead was enough to take away every worry of mine, replacing it with a sense of satisfaction.

Nope.

This wasn't my world.

I wasn't going to sit back and simply accept it.

I was fighting my way back.

I continued to walk for how long I don't know; it hadn't seemed that long when Jacob had found me, but the tunnel did not seem to appear. I searched behind the bushes and fallen leaves, up in the thick trees, anywhere and everywhere, till the sun set, a cry of despair finally leaving my lips as I fell to the muddy ground.

I wasn't going back to that house.

I wanted to go home!

I wanted my Edward!

"Edward!" I shouted to the empty forest. "I know you can hear me. Stop being so damn stubborn and come help me. I need you. I will always need you."

He did not come.

No one did.

Tears began leaking down my eyes as I cried. And cried. The worry of never getting back home heavy on my mind.

How was I going to get home now?

I wanted to get out of here.

No. I wasn't giving up.

I wasn't going anywhere.

I was going to stay here till the tunnel magically appeared in front of me.

Yes. If it could appear once, it could appear for a second time, too. I was going to wait for that moment, grabbing it by the ears.

I let myself lie down on the cold, wet floor, my eyes shutting as a sense of loneliness and a thick coat of helplessness engulfed me whole.

Sam's POV-

Another night of patrolling.

Another long, tiring night of being the only one in here.

It wasn't their fault; the elders had attempted to make me understand this. They had no say in the matter, just like I had no say in the matter. But the fact remained that I was a lone wolf. At first, I had assumed that someone would change, be it Paul Lahote or Jared Cameron did not matter. But as time had passed, a year passing by with not one soul showing similar symptoms as I had, I had given up on my hope. I was meant to be a lone wolf.

It was a sad reality to live in.

No one to talk to. No one to share my secret with.

I couldn't tell my family. That was one of the many rules.

The only people who could know were the elders, other pack members and my imprint. The latter two I did not have, and having a heart-to-heart with Billy Black was not something I was keen on doing. Now, he was a good man, and a decent therapist, as per his few clients that resided in town. But it was simply too awkward a discussion to have with someone.

And don't even get me started on Harry Clearwater! Things had been awkward between me and the Clearwaters' after Leah had realized that she liked women… while we had been in a relationship. Since the past ten years. Of course, I had lashed out. And said a few things I did not mean. Yeah, she had refused to see my face post that. It was awkward between us since!

So, even he was out.

Old Quil, too.

I wasn't in the mood for a philosophical lecture with the old coot.

Maybe…I was meant to suffer alone.

My parents thought that I was a failure; who quits college in his final semester? And then chose to waste his entire life being unemployed and aimless?

I could see it in their eyes. The disappointment when I asked them for money to buy the essentials. I was forced to live in their basement; I couldn't afford my own space. Nor could I afford any luxuries. I had no car. The one my parents had bought me back when I turned sixteen had broken down a little over a year ago, and the cost to repair it was too high to even consider. Traveling as a wolf seemed the easy alternative.

Thinking about the future was a lost cause. I had no future.

This was my bane. My personal hell.

"Edward."

Who's that?

I followed my nose deeper into the woods, my snout raised and my fur alert. It seemed like a little girl. I hadn't come across any vampire in months now, but I needed to be careful nonetheless.

"Edward, please don't leave me."

Strange.

Who was this Edward?

A very uncommon name for someone who resided in La Push.

"I will come back to you, Edward."

I continued to walk ahead, the temperatures dropping, as I hoped that the sight that greeted me wasn't a very alarming one.

What if this person was harmed?

How would I explain getting to them?

Wait. Was that Bella Swan? Chief Swan's daughter?

I knew her in passing. Small town and all of that.

But we weren't in the same social circle. More so, considering these days I had no social circle to speak of!

"Edward."

Damn. She was shivering.

How did you get here, little one?

I wasted no time in taking her in my arms, her cold body leaning into my extremely warm one, my body heat a relief to her. I smiled. It felt good to have someone rely on me.

"Let's get you home, little Swan."