Chapter 1:

Bella

The breaking glass and screeching tires still haunt my dreams. The flash of the deer running out onto the road. My scream that sounded out of body. Blood-red eyes that peered out from the darkness.

After being confronted with my mortality, I knew I needed a change of pace. I wasn't thrilled to leave Seattle for the small town of Forks, but I couldn't continue to live in the city now that my mom had moved on to the new Mr. Right Now. She said they needed time to grow into their relationship without me hovering around. I think she was really just afraid that I might tell him I was the only functional adult in the house.

My dad, Charlie, had graciously arranged for me to stay on my own at an estate that had been empty for years, in exchange for helping to renovate it. It was just outside my hometown of Forks, Washington, but nestled in the woods far away from any wandering eyes. Isolation didn't seem so bad after years of codependency with Renee, my mother. I wasn't sure exactly how he swung this arrangement, but I guess being the chief of police in a small town had its benefits. I was grateful. I didn't need the details.

My taxi from the airport pulled up in front of Charlie's two story home. It screamed for a new paint job, but was otherwise well maintained. I wasn't sure what to expect since the last time I had been here was as a teenager. I was 22 now, but coming home to my dad had me feeling much younger. Vulnerable. Insecure.

The overcast sky gave the entire scene a melancholy mood, but it matched my own. Maybe this was a mistake?

I clutched my backpack and the tiny cactus Renee had given me before dropping me off to fly to my new life. I think TSA let me through with it out of pity and sheer curiosity. I let out a heavy sigh just as Charlie's slender frame filled his doorway.

"Bells," he said, half surprise, half greeting. Raising his coffee mug to me, then heading down the steps to grab the rest of my luggage out of the cab's trunk. Charlie, thankfully, wasn't much of a hugger. The gesture of grabbing my few suitcases was enough for both of us.

"Let me throw these in the truck and then we can head up to the old Witherdale place," he started. "Unless you want to stop by the cafe and grab a bite to eat first."

"I'm fine," I shrugged. "I'd rather get settled in first. I don't think I can do the whole meet and greet routine right now." I shifted uncomfortably, playing with the zipper on my hunter green jacket. The air had a chill to it, but I wasn't sure if it was my uneasiness or the weather.

Charlie nodded. He got it. If there was one thing I got from him, it was the aversion to social situations.

We drove in silence most of the way. Charlie rhythmically moved his fingers against the steering wheel like he was on the verge of telling me something, but wasn't sure if I'd handle it well.

Finally he broke the awkward tension filling the truck cab. "I got you a job at that little coffee place downtown."

My eyes widened and my stomach dropped at the thought, "Dad..." Why? I didn't need the money, the insurance payout from the accident had made sure of that. I was also supposed to be renovating the manor.

"Now Bella, it's not good for you to just stay locked up in the house way out here," his dad voice in full effect. "You can't just stay isolated out in the middle of the woods. Jessica, remember her, works at the coffee shop too."

My eyes narrowed, throwing invisible daggers towards him. I'm not sure what universe Charlie was in, but in mine, Jessica and I hadn't been friends since sophomore year. She had gotten jealous that her boyfriend, Mike, had an unwavering obsession with me. The feeling wasn't mutual, but that didn't matter to her. It drove a wedge deep into our friendship that we couldn't recover from.

Charlie clammed right back up and we sat in strained silence for the rest of the drive. Which I broke as soon as we turned up the dirt road to the manor. I let out a gasp and my mouth fell open. The old Witherdale place was breathtaking.