Nine years later
Bella was sick. Sick of running. Sick of hiding. She was too thin, with straggly hair that no longer had a shine to it, and her eyes had dark bags underneath them. She looked older than her thirty-three years. Partly because of the liquor and nicotine… but most of it on the inability to find peace.
Well past the point of complete exhaustion, she knew people thought she was insane. She'd traveled all over the United States but stayed no longer than a few weeks in any location after Dallas.
Gripping the steering wheel tight, Bella passed a sign on the road welcoming her to Mystic Falls. She was hungry and tired. She needed a hot meal, a long shower, and a good night's rest that wasn't brought on by too much alcohol and followed up by the world's worst hangover.
She missed Charlie and Renee. She had stopped once in Florida and watched her mom from a distance. Seeing her happy and in love with Phil made it easier for Bella to keep her distance.
Charlie was a different story. She had been terrified to contact him. But in the end, she had found his contact information from the Fork's police website and emailed him. He didn't understand her desire to stay away. He'd offered to come to her, but she was terrified that Victoria would find out.
What if she hurt Charlie to get to Bella? What if she followed Charlie directly to her? It was too risky, so instead, she stayed away.
Bartending was simple work, and Bella enjoyed it. Being paid cash under the table with tips helped her, too, minimizing her paper trail and leaving her any opportunity to literally, 'take her money and run.'
At first, she got hit on almost nightly. She'd taken quite a few guys up on their offers to keep her warm at night, but those trysts didn't satisfy the emptiness inside. Bella knew her emptiness, her staggeringly painful loneliness was all self-inflicted. But that was the price she willingly paid to keep everyone safe.
She was driving through a small, picturesque town called Mystic Falls. It was immediately apparent that, while small, it was an 'Old Money' area, the main drag lined with mansions and a giant fountain featured in the center of town.
Seeing a sign on a building advertising the Mystic Grill, Bella parked, got out of the car, and pulled her purse strap over her shoulder. Shutting the door, she hit the lock on the key fob, still grateful that even after all these years, the Cullens continued to funnel money into her accounts to aid in her escape. Bella was unsure they knew she was at the heart of Edward's demise, but they clearly didn't fault her for it if they did.
The bell over the door jingled as she entered the bar and grill. She found an empty booth and slouched into it, fighting the fatigue that filled her bones. She glanced around, making sure she knew where all the exits were so she could run if needed.
A young man sauntered over, his blond hair spiked up out of his eyes and his smile flashed with dimples. Bella didn't think he was a day over nineteen.
"Welcome to the Mystic Grill. I'm Matt. I'll be your server. What can I get you to drink?"
"I'll just have a water, please, to start."
"Sure thing. I'll be right back with that."
"Thanks," she whispered, as she turned her gaze to the plastic-covered menu on the table. She didn't feel like making any more decisions. She was so exhausted.
When Matt set her glass on the table in front of her with a thunk, she gasped and jumped, feeling silly when he tripped over his words trying to apologize.
"I'm so sorry, ma'am. I didn't mean to start-"
Bella interrupted him, "No worries. I'm just tired and have driven a long way today. I need to eat and find a decent hotel. What do you recommend here?"
"The bacon cheeseburger is good. So is the poutine. Both reheat well if you have leftovers, too."
It was a thoughtful tip for someone on the go. Bella wondered if Mystic Falls was a tourist town.
She said, "Sounds great. I'll take both. Thanks, Matt."
She sighed when he turned and left, thinking over the fact he had called her ma'am. She wasn't old by most standards, but to someone Matt's age, she probably seemed ancient. Especially in the shape she was currently in.
As she sipped at her water, she pulled her phone from her pocket and checked her email. Her dad had written to her to let her know he missed her, he would be happy to help her buy plane tickets, send gas money, or whatever, to help her get back home.
He ended the letter with, "I just miss my baby girl. Hope you're alright. I love you, Bells. -Dad."
Her eyes filled with tears as she thought about Charlie. She hadn't seen him in so long. He'd been barely eighteen when she was born, so he was barely into his fifties, but she knew that anything could happen. Life was precious and often cut short in the briefest of moments. Her stupidity steeped her teenage years in danger, however. Charlie was safer without her.
She would never forgive herself for getting involved with vampires. Bella knew she should have kept the knowledge to herself and stayed far away. But you live and learn.
When Matt returned with a fresh glass of water, he promised to be right back with her dinner. She thanked him and sat in the booth spinning her cup in slow circles on the table, watching as the sweat dripped down the side.
Bella looked up when someone slid into the booth across from her. She didn't know what she expected to find, but the bronze-skinned teenage girl with beautiful black hair and ebony eyes wasn't it.
She raised her eyebrow and studied her a moment longer, looking for some clue what this girl wanted. Finally, she asked, "Can I help you?"
The girl smirked at her, replying, "Actually, I'm here to help you."
Bella looked up at the ceiling, knowing she was being excessively rude, but she was beyond caring at that point. Taking a deep breath and releasing it, she locked eyes with the girl once more, "I'm not interested in whatever proposition you have for me."
The girl laughed at her a little, then said, "It's not a proposition. Just listen while you eat."
Matt slid Bella's plates onto the table, the burger sizzled and the fries loaded with toppings. Bella's stomach growled loudly and her cheeks flamed red.
Matt asked if she needed anything else and told her he'd check on her later before moving to another table.
Bella picked up her burger and took a big bite, then looked back at the girl.
"My name is Bonnie. I know you're aware of the truth and the danger that lurks… though you don't know everything. Bella, you need to go home. It's time to return to Forks."
Bella swallowed the sizeable chunk that she hadn't finished chewing and chased it with a gulp of water. After a deep gasp of air, she asked, "Who are you? How do you know anything about me?"
"I'm part of the others that are out there."
"You don't look like…" Bella's voice trailed off, unable to say the words out loud.
"Cold ones are just one part of the equation. There are so many aspects to our world–more than just those. Traditionals, Witches, Werewolves, Shifters, and much more exist in our world. But that's beside the point… Bella, you need to go home."
Tears filled Bella's eyes, and she blinked them back. "I can't. You don't understand. You don't know what I've been through."
"I know more than you think." Bonnie held Bella's gaze, unflinchingly. "I know that your heart was broken. I know you are completely exhausted. You've been running most of your life. It's time, Bella. The danger is gone. You can go home and not fear repercussions from Victoria."
Bella gaped, her mouth opening and closing as she tried to understand what this girl was telling her. "You don't know what Victoria is capable of. I can't risk it. Nothing would be worth the pain she could cause to so many people."
"Bella, please hear me. Victoria is no longer a threat. Go home." Softening her tone, she added, "Charlie needs you." She said nothing else as she got up and walked away.
Bella stared at the food in front of her, no longer feeling hungry at all. Was Matt aware of who she was, too? Was he some kind of psychic? Had he known she would end up leaving, food unfinished when he suggested the order? Maybe the girl had told him…
She waved at Matt, and he brought her a box with her check. She packed up her food and asked if he knew of a place to stay for the night.
"The boardinghouse is the nicest place to stay, but there's also the motel on the edge of town. But, we don't call it the Roach Court for nothing. I don't recommend it."
Bella had stayed in some sketchy places, but given the option, she wouldn't repeat the experience willingly. Looking it up on her phone, she called the number of the boarding house and requested a room for the night if there was any vacancy.
"You're in luck. We just cleared out yesterday and you could take your pick. Do you need the address?"
As the voice on the other end of the line gave the address, Bella echoed it back and tapped it into her phone. Leaving money to cover the bill and a generous tip, Bella picked up her box and walked out of the Grill.
