New story for yall!
Blood was a tantalising, fascinating thing. Sweet, fragrant... Delicious. The cause of many lives to be lost, funnily enough given that it was the essence of their being. The very thing that allowed their existence to be. I found it hard to care any more. With a devious smirk I locked eyes with the person across from me and relished.
The low rumbling of the engine was the only sound drawing out the awkward silence between a young brunette and her father. Nothing had been spoken for nearly forty minutes, and Bella had decided that fidgeting in her seat, playing with her nails and flicking through songs on her phone was a suitable pastime. The low hum of the next song reached her ears, causing her foot to tap idly along to the smooth beat.
A sudden cough breaks the awkward silence and her eyes widen as she looks towards Charlie, her dad for all intents and purposes. He looked much older than she remembered. Lines marred around his eyes and his moustache had gotten thicker. Grey tinted his black hair and his eyes looked sullen.
"So Bella…" She nods for him to continue and focuses back on her view from the window. Watching the water glide over the glass as they sped down the highway to Forks, Washington. Her home for the next few years. "I hope you still like purple." He gulps. "I haven't had the heart to change your room since you were little." Ah yes. The summer visits she often spent here. Under constant cover of rain and misery, surrounded by dolls, books and games that she's sure she'd have no interest in now.
"Purples good." She mumbles, whether to save him some embarrassment or unwillingness to talk any more that doesn't matter, She slips in her headphones, ignoring him for the rest of the drive.
Charlie was fine with that arrangement, he wasn't much of a talker.
They pulled into the dirt driveway a couple of hours later.
The house hadn't changed.
It was still the same two story bachelors pad she remembered it to be. The grass surrounding had been cut, there was a stack of logs outside of the back yard shed, and something pulled under a covers that she could barely see. The grey cloud flew over, the rain misting into the soil as she stepped out the vehicle. The cruiser. Several times he rang his siren as they drove through forks, a few men she assumed he worked with nodded or waved their greetings. Bella had hid behind her hand at each one, embarrassed since his co workers weren't the only onlookers from the crowd.
The sound of the trunk opening caught her attention, she picked up a couple of her luggage bags and hauled them over her shoulders.
"Head on in." He said, the water dripping off the end of his hair. "I'll grab the rest. Have a look around." Bella shrugged and did as requested. The stone crunched under her docs as she treaded up the path to the front door. She braced herself before gripping the handle and pushing it open.
It was… Exactly… The same.
Well that's not entirely true, he had upgraded his old box looking tv to one now screwed to the wall near an old recliner. Nodded her appreciation at the many pictures on the walls, some of her when she was younger she headed for the stairs. Bella passed the kitchen to her right, pots, pans, bowls and cutlery sat by its side. Newly washed and cluttering the space. She supposed he had left in a hurry to get her and didn't have time to put things away.
She reshoulders the bag over her left arm and walks up the stairs. More pictures, some paintings and others lined them as she walked through the house. Pushing back memories of her childhood, upon entering her room that proved difficult. It was like she had been transported back in time to over a decade ago.
Had he even washed the bedding? She wondered. WIth a sigh she drops her bags to the floor and flops back onto the mattress. From the smell she realises he had. Upon a cursory glance it all looked clean, as if he had vacuumed, dusted and decluttered it all. It was odd to say the least.
"Hey Cha-dad!" She called as he stumbled up the stairs, nearly tripping over a strap hanging low from one of her carry ons. Bella sits up as he rounds the corner at the final few steps.
He chuckles. "No need to get up, stay there. It's fine." She nods with an awkward smile as he gets closer, setting them down by the door way.
"Thanks."
Silence beats for a few moments.
"Welcome home." He says sincerely. Charlie lingered in the doorway, unsure of where to look and took to scanning Bella's room.
Although awkward Charlie was really happy to have his daughter back. He could understand somewhat that she wasn't too pleased, she'd spent years with her mother. The change must be hard. He gulped. Even though he and Renee didn't get along, it didn't mean he couldn't adore his kid.
"Yeah uh it's good to be back." He accepts that answer and leaves her to settle. Finally alone after many uncomfortable moments Bella relaxes. She takes comfort in her room, even if it's like stepping into a time capsule. She rolls over to lay on her stomach and looks out the square window opposite her childhood desk. The rain was coming down heavier now. Bella approached and slid the glass up, letting in the cool breeze.
It was heavy, different but still the same. Bella couldn't grasp what had changed, the air felt different. Thicker.
Deciding to nto spend her time indoors she trekked downstairs to find Charlie in the kitchen, putting away the dishes he'd left there this morning. Bella smiled awkwardly and stood in the doorway until he noticed her. Which took several seconds longer than her comfort.
"I'm uh, going out. A walk, you know." He nods, grabbing another cup.
"Need me to go?" He asks surprisingly as he pulls open the cupboard near his head, narrowly missing his hair.
"I'm alright, see you later." She says quietly, hoping to avoid more uncomfortable company. She'll be back in time for dinner, and that was enough for her. He accepts the answer and she walks over the rug to the front door and swings it open.
The smell of rain is stronger now and as she steps out onto the path it drips down her face, cooling her heated skin.
She hadn't realised but her heart beat had started pounding, so she matched it.
Taking off towards the treeline, darting between branches and over foliage, searching for the one place she found solace in growing up. It didn't take her long to find it.
Coming to a small clearing was a small fort. If it could be called that. It was a bunch of broken down trees shaped into a box, held together by whatever vines her and her childhood friend could get their hands on. Which wasn't much. The remains of their hard work one summer barely stood. Bella smiled laying her eyes upon it, and needing something to pass the time she started to clear it out. Kicking the debris away and finding more stable branches to hold up the makeshift roof she threw on.
It got dark before she realised perched underneath as the slowing rain came to a halt. Barely drizzling.
Her legs tucked under her as she watched the forest.
It felt like home being out here.
She never liked the heat of Phoenix, not like her mum, who thrived under it. A small part of her was glad she hadn't stayed with Renee and her new boyfriend, they were going to travel. Something to do with his baseball career, truly Bella had no idea. With no interest in sports she never thought to inquire. Knowing her life would've been miserable wherever they went she had the choice to come back here, so she took it. Apprehensive but knowing it's the least painful of the two. So far, other than being uncomfortable she felt fine.
Being out here, amongst the trees, listening to all of the insects, the birds, the wildlife round her, felt indescribable.
With a sigh she decided it was probably best for her to go home, as she stood, knees wobbled and a prickling feeling ran up her spine.
She was being watched.
Her eyes darted, looking between the foliage, the leaves, the branches, trying to catch a glimpse at whatever found her. Fear gnawed at her stomach, her senses told her to run, but she found herself rooted to the dirt. Fear disabling her legs, so she stood still.
"You shouldn't be out here alone, young one."
Huh?
A red head approached, curly waves of auburn hair flowing down her back. Soaked through, her pale skin dripped with water still. Every step calculated as she circled around Bella to be standing in front of her.
Bella gulped, looking left and right. Avoiding the piercing gaze attempting to lock onto her own.
"I should go, my dads waiting for me. I'm already late."
The red head chuckled, taking a step closer, leaning awkwardly and smiling. Her eyes sparkled deviously. Bella finally noticed them, a deep crimson. Her heart hammered, if not contained by her rib cage she was sure it'd burst through her chest.
"Now, I'm sure Charlie won't mind."
A shudder ran down her spine, her legs nearly giving out.
They know Charlie? Who the hell are these people?
Fear thundered through her being, everything in her screaming to run, but she knows she won't be quick enough. Like a fish caught in a net, she was already captured. Running would do no good, but what about screaming? Perhaps if she wasn't so far out here someone would hear her cries, anyone would come to help.
"I wouldn't bother screaming if I were you. There's no one around for miles." Bella looked away, and that was a mistake.
The red head lunged, Bella screamed as she went down. Clawing at the solid body above her, fighting for her pathetic life.
She hadn't even finished high school. Never had her first kiss. Hell she didn't even have a boyfriend. It was all over. She was never going to have that. She was going to die. Here. Underneath this stranger who was groaning in pleasure. Bella paused briefly, then it hit her all at once. A heat so unbearable her mouth tore open in a soundless scream, her body thrashed as needles spread throughout her body, emanating from her neck, through her blood. She was boiling alive. Everything, everywhere, was burning, being scorched from the inside out. She dug her fingers into her thighs, anything to relieve pressure, but nothing helped.
She was going to die.
Would Charlie miss her? She couldn't decide if she wanted him to. Her thoughts wandered to Renee, she hoped she would be happy. Travelling with Phil, they could have a wonderful life, it's what she's always wanted for her. She was so alone after Charlie left all those years ago, and seeing the brightness he brought into life Bella never wanted it put out.
Her heart began to slow, Bella noticed it, she took in a shallow breath, trying to regain consciousness even if the most foul metallic tasting thing was being forced down her throat. She gagged, struggling against the wrist as it pressed against her lips. But with no fight left in her she gave up.
Bella released a final breath and her mortal life came to an end.
Several heartbeat later her eyes slid open, the redhead now gone, left alone in the woods. Everything was clearer, she could hear the wind rustle, her clothes as she moved, everything was suddenly noticeable. There was nothing she couldn't hear, the sun pierced her eyes as it peaked through the tree top.
How much time had passed?
Not knowing she sat up, wincing as a pain shot through her neck. Her hand instinctively came up to it and she wrapped her fingers around her skin. Odd. What on earth happened? She questioned as she stood, taking in the blood on her shirt. How strange.
With wobbly legs she meandered through the forest before coming to the road, shuddering as a truck drove by, wait, it hadn't, she could hear it, how far is it. So many questions. She darted across the road towards Charlie's house. He was home, talking on the phone. Bella frowned and trekked up the path. Surely she hadn't meant to fall asleep, at least it didn't rain through the night.
Upon opening the door she could barely register anything until Charlie had his arms around her, pulling her tight.
"Where the hell have you been?" He pulls back, keeping her at arm's length, gasping at the sight of blood. His hand goes to her cheek. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?" He looks her over, not needing any other words to confirm he was taking her to the hospital. Bella gawked, she didn't need to go, she felt fine. She yanked her arm out of grip, and he winced.
"Bella please, look at you. You're bleeding."
She frowned at him as he braced himself in the door, key in hand, poised to leave.
"I feel fine."
"Honey no, you're not fine, there's blood all over you. Did you fall? Did you hit your head? Let's go please." With a frown marring her usual placid features they pile into Charlie's cruiser, already on the phone to some doctor to get her checked out.
It isn't long before she's being observed by a very handsome doctor, he's polite and asks a bunch of questions.
"Do you remember what happened, Miss Swan?" She shrugged, kicking her feet back and forth where they were swinging. Charlie was sat by her bedside, fingers interlaced with a pained expression upon his face. He needed to know what happened, his daughter was gone overnight.
"I went out to the camp Jake and I made years ago. I must've fallen asleep." the doctor hums and attaches his pen to the clipboard he'd been holding.
"Thank you, now Charlie, why don't we have a word outside?" Charlie is led out of the room by Dr handsome and Bella is left on her own.
The door opens a few moments later, a nurse comes in. A petite thing, short, blonde hair and blue eyes. Wrinkly uniform and looking cheerful as she approached.
Bella clutches her throat, a burning sensation fills her mouth, saliva pools.
What's happening to me?
She squirms in her seat, trying her best to ignore the burning. Her jaw starts to ache and she knows the nurse is saying something. Speaking to her in a hushed tone. But beyond that incessant pumping she can't hear anything. It's so goddamn loud, reverberating through her, calling out to her like a siren song. Bella's head begins to spin and she falls to the floor, collapsing to her knees in front of the nurse. Before the blonde can call for help Bella grips her neck, suddenly feeling beyond strong, crushing the fragile wind pipe in her hand and for some reason unbeknown to her opens her jaw and bites down on her neck.
Apologies for any mistakes, review review review! Check out my other stories if you get the chance :)