Chapter 25: Closure
It was the end of August, but on this early morning in Boston, the weather felt perfect to Bella. The crisp, cool air was invigorating, a stark contrast to the oppressive heat in Phoenix, although neither temperature truly affected her. She had just arrived at her old stomping grounds, and seeing it with her new eyes felt somewhat surreal. Everything seemed sharper and more vivid, the little details she had never noticed before now more pronounced.
The day had not yet started for the students, who were lucky enough to still be fast asleep for at least another hour. The quietness of the streets allowed Bella to walk down Comm. Ave. just as she had done during those two years attending school. The familiar path felt comforting, with the noise of the subway rolling past and the sounds of the currently light traffic. She knew that once the day started, it would be much different, but she appreciated this time to just be with her thoughts.
Reflecting back on her college days brought up many happy memories. She remembered the late-night study sessions at the library, the laughter shared with friends over coffee, and the sense of freedom that came with living as an adult without a parent for the first time. Bella smiled to herself, feeling a sense of nostalgia. She knew it would be an interesting day.
Two years ago, after her life had been upended, Bella had not known what her future held. Everything in those first early months had been so difficult; thinking back on them now, Bella was amazed that she had been able to maintain her sanity given what she had had to do to survive. The chaos and uncertainty of those times seemed almost unreal now as she walked peacefully along the quiet street in dawn's early light.
Back then, not knowing when or if she would ever return to school, she had apologetically asked her roommate, Stacy, to pack up all her belongings and put them in a small storage locker. She had then asked her mom to pay the monthly rent. After her life had settled somewhat and she was able to rejoin society, she had taken over the upkeep of the rental.
Now, walking the familiar streets of Boston once again, she knew it was time to close this chapter of her life. With her now living back at home in Phoenix, she finally had a place to store her belongings long-term.
Bella hadn't contacted any of her friends when she arrived back in Boston, as she had no wish to open up all the questions about her changed appearance or the reasons for her hasty departure. But that didn't mean she couldn't check in on them surreptitiously. Waiting across the street and wearing sunglasses, she finally caught sight of Stacy exiting their old dorm. Stacy was a senior now, and Bella could easily note the changes and growth in her friend. Stacy looked more mature, with shorter hair, and she walked with a confidence that Bella didn't remember her having.
It was hard for Bella not to make herself known, especially as she watched Stacy head to the eatery where they had always eaten together. Stacy sat down with some of their other friends, and Bella was happy to note that they all appeared to be doing well. She went inside and sat down in a corner, pretending to read a newspaper but really listening in on their conversation.
As she eavesdropped, she was pleased to hear that her friends were, in fact, doing well. Stacy was talking about a job she had just been hired for after graduation and how thrilled she was. The excitement in her voice was palpable, and it warmed Bella's heart to hear these tidbits from her friends' lives. After listening for a while, Bella stood up, satisfied and reassured, and left knowing her friends were okay.
Stepping out into the crisp morning air, Bella removed her sunglasses and took one last look at the group through the window. She saw Stacy lift her head, and for a second, they locked eyes with each other. Bella stared directly at her friend as time seemed to slow until Stacy turned away to continue talking with her friends. Her heartbeat had not changed; she had not recognized Bella, and though bittersweet, Bella was glad.
Next, Bella walked to David's fraternity, hoping to catch a glimpse of her former boyfriend. As she approached the frat house, she could only laugh once again, reminiscing about that final night. It was wild and a little scary to think that if things had turned out differently that night, she would still be at BU, about to graduate with the rest of her friends. Although she hadn't chosen this life, she much preferred it to any imaginary life that her human self might have led.
Her attention sharpened as she saw the front door open, and David emerged, followed by a guy she didn't recognize. David waited for him, and as they walked down the steps, Bella's discerning eye caught the subtle, intimate gestures they shared, their hands brushing against each other. David looked genuinely happy, and it made her smile to see it. He seemed to have figured his shit out, and she was happy for him.
Just as she was about to walk away, she heard a voice from her past that she never thought she would hear again.
Bella froze at the sound of the familiar voice. She turned slowly, her sunglasses not doing a thing to dim the appealing sight of Stephen, David's best friend. Somehow, he looked even better now than she remembered, with his confident swagger and a smile that could melt hearts. The smile on his face made it clear that he hadn't recognized her; it seemed none of her friends or even potential lovers recognized her in this new body.
"Hey there, gorgeous," Stephen said smoothly, stepping closer, his eyes gleaming with interest. "I couldn't help but notice you from across the street. Do you have a name, or can I call you mine?"
Bella raised an eyebrow, her initial wariness giving way to amusement. "I have a name," she replied, her voice calm and collected, carrying a hint of playful mystery. "But I'm not in the habit of giving it out to strangers."
Stephen chuckled, undeterred by her guarded response, his grin widening with genuine amusement. "Fair enough. How about I buy you a coffee, and we can become less like strangers?"
Bella's lips curled into a sly smile, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I don't know… coffee isn't really my preferred drink of choice these days," she teased, her voice carrying a hint of playful challenge.
Stephen's eyes lit up, clearly intrigued by the game she was presenting. "A woman after my own heart," he replied smoothly, stepping closer. "I know a great place nearby that serves something a bit stronger. What do you say?"
Bella leaned in slightly, her voice taking on a seductive, flirtatious tone. "Isn't it a little early for anything... more exotic? Besides, I don't know if you could handle a girl like me. You seem a little milk toast for my tastes."
Stephen's grin widened, his confidence unwavering. "Trust me, I have all the experience needed to completely satisfy a woman like you. If you're interested in a harder drink or just plain interested, I have some aged brandy in my room. I'm in the house right there," he said, nodding toward the frat house. "What do you say? Life's too short not to enjoy every moment, don't you agree?"
Bella tilted her head, pretending to consider his offer, her gaze locking onto his with a teasing glint. "Life is too short and your offer sounds truly tempting..." she purred, her voice like velvet. "But I have to admit, I really should be cautious. You see, I've had some… let's say interesting experiences with men from this town."
Stephen moved closer, his hand brushing against hers, the contact sending a small thrill through Bella despite herself. "I promise, I'm not like the others. I just want to make you smile, maybe even laugh. I'm truly harmless."
Bella's eyes sparkled behind her sunglasses. "Yes, you do seem harmless, and I must admit I am rather thirsty. But… I don't know. The last guy I let buy me a drink, I ended up completely naked in the forest. Now that was a wild night I'll never forget. James was a smooth talker just like you."
Stephen's eyes widened with a mix of intrigue and amusement. "James, huh? Sounds like quite the character. But I assure you, I'm much more entertaining," he drawled, his voice low and seductive. "And if we ended up naked together, you'd be very, very satisfied. It's strange—there's just something about you… Are you a model or something? It feels like I've met you before, but there's no chance I'd ever forget a face like yours."
Bella leaned in closer, her lips brushing against his ear. "You figured it out. You must have seen some of my work," she purred, her voice a sultry whisper. She blew gently into his ear before pulling back, her expression playful yet firm. "Well, your offer is tempting, but maybe some other time."
Stephen's breath hitched, his body reacting to her proximity, his pulse quickening. "Why not now?" he asked, a hint of desperation creeping into his voice, his need palpable.
Bella pulled back slightly, a playful smile on her lips as she dropped the hammer on their playful interlude. "Well, my girlfriend is waiting for me," she quipped, glancing at her nonexistent watch. "And I really must be going."
Stephen's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and disappointment flashing across his face. "Girlfriend?"
Bella nodded, her smile widening as she enjoyed the effect she was having on him. "Yes, I'll admit you're quite the pretty boy, and I imagine we could have had a lot of fun together. But sadly, you don't compare to my girlfriend. The things she can do with her tongue should be downright illegal. And no offense, but she and I can go for hours, and well, men… you just don't have the stamina. But it was fun talking with you."
She turned to leave, and as she walked away, she could hear Stephen's heart pounding. She had really worked him up. She glanced back at him standing there, her grin widening as she saw the evidence of Stephen's arousal pressing against his pants. It was nice to learn that she could be alluring and flirty if she wanted to be. She knew for a fact her human self would have died of embarrassment if she had ever acted like that. But it was satisfying to get a little payback after Stephen and David had left her wanting more.
Satisfied with the mostly one-sided reunions with her old life, Bella decided it was time to visit her storage locker. Stacy had packed up everything, so Bella really didn't know what she would find when she got there. The walk to the storage facility was uneventful, and after getting the key from the employee, she unlocked the door to her unit, eager to see what awaited her. As she opened the door, the familiar scent of old books and worn clothes greeted her. She couldn't help but smile slightly at the sight of some of the items—it was like being reacquainted with old friends.
She started sorting through the items, her hands moving methodically. There were textbooks from her classes and her entire wardrobe, which, surprisingly, smelled even better than her high school clothes had. She grinned as her human scent really made her want to go find someone and chow down. She quickly put those thoughts aside, determined to get this finished today.
She smiled when she picked up her favorite well-worn BU sweatshirt that she had practically lived in during the winter months. It felt like a comforting hug from her past. She was also relieved to see that all her photos of her friends at BU were here, too. Her memory might be perfect, but having physical reminders of her times here was comforting in a way that mere recollection couldn't match.
The task of packing everything up was straightforward. She carefully sorted and organized her belongings, managing to fit everything into three large boxes. After securing the last box, she felt a sense of accomplishment. Luckily, the local FedEx was conveniently close by. The clerk at the counter was friendly, and Bella chatted with him briefly as he processed her packages.
As she watched her boxes disappear into the back, ready to be shipped off to Phoenix, she felt a profound sense of closure over her time at college. The moment was a little bittersweet, but she knew it was time to fully embrace her new life.
The sun was almost ready to set, and all her stated reasons for coming to Boston were now complete, even if she had really just wanted to check in on her friends. Bella wondered what she should do next. She sometimes liked to think of her thirst as a separate entity in her head, and it quickly made its presence known by yelling, "Hey, you're hungry, feed me!" Although it had only been five days since she last ate, she didn't see any reason not to quench her thirst now.
Bella didn't want to admit it, but her conversation with Stephen had stirred something within her, just as it had for him. She was still horny, imagining what would have happened if she had gone with Stephen up to his room. While satiating her thirst wasn't quite as pleasurable as truly getting off, it came a very close second. Many times, she had felt on the verge of climaxing while she drank, and she thought she could easily get there if her surroundings weren't so disgusting.
Thinking about where to go, she decided it would be interesting to start her quest for food back where it had all begun. She headed to Callihan's, curious to see what her final hours as a human looked like with her new eyes.
Exiting the subway station at Boylston Street, it felt like déjà vu. Her steps mirroring those of her human self on that fateful night. The town looked much the same as it had two years ago. People were out, happily enjoying their evening. Music played in the Commons, and vendors sold food, which now smelled awful whereas before it had smelled yummy. She walked past the AMC theater, which looked exactly the same, and turned the corner heading towards Callihan's.
When she arrived, the building was just as vibrant as she remembered, with its modern glass facade and neon lights illuminating the night. Standing in the exact spot before she had crossed the street, which would change her destiny, she could only huff in amusement. It was beyond obvious to her now that James had been on the prowl, just as she currently was. There was no way he had just happened to be heading to Callihan's and saved her in the nick of time from falling hard against the curb. He had been stalking her but had thankfully changed his mind. For probably the millionth time, she wondered what really happened that night and where James and that woman had gone. It was a mystery with no clues, only more questions.
While Callihan's was certainly eye-catching with its vibrant lights and modern design, Bella didn't enter. Her meals of choice wouldn't be found in such an open and trendy place. Instead, she headed toward a suburb of Boston, one she had been warned to avoid when she first arrived at school.
When Bella arrived, she immediately saw why she had been warned away. It looked like the perfect area to find a drug dealer. She started walking the streets with her head down, but all her senses were on full alert. Soon, before she could even find a dealer, she felt the presence of a man who seemed to be following her. She gave him many chances to turn around and choose another path, slowing her pace and making frequent stops at intersections, but he persisted. Finally, she turned down a dark alley, leaving it up to him whether he lived or died.
Feeling full again, Bella emerged from the dingy alley, satisfied that the man would never harm anyone again. He might have succeeded with another girl in what he had failed to do to her, and she was glad to have stopped him. With a full belly—or wherever all that blood had gone—she began her journey out of the city.
The forests of Massachusetts welcomed her back, their dark embrace a comforting contrast to the bright city lights. Bella moved swiftly and silently through the trees, her thoughts drifting to her upcoming trip with her mom. They had both been eagerly anticipating it, and in just a couple of weeks, they would be celebrating her 22nd birthday in Vegas. The excitement of the upcoming trip brought a smile to her lips as she relished the thought of all the new experiences she would have. Her mom had been sharing many stories about her own adventures in Vegas, and Bella couldn't wait to create some memories of her own.
Bella had finally managed to get all her paperwork in order. She now possessed a new passport and driver's license, both featuring her new face smiling back at her. Additionally, she had acquired a credit card linked to her mom's account. Her mom had been visibly shocked when she had emptied out her backpack onto the dining room table, revealing bundles and stacks of cash. It had been a rather disheartening moment to confess to her mother that she was not only a murderer but a thief as well. Fortunately, her mom had refrained from making any derogatory remarks.
Since Bella couldn't open a bank account to deposit the money—how would she explain all that income?—she asked to store it at her mom's house, hidden under her mattress, of course. She told her mom she could use the money if she ever needed anything, but she sensed her mom's reluctance to have anything to do with it. Bella understood her hesitation. Nonetheless, she planned to finance their Vegas trip with her ill-gotten gains.
Bella knew that eventually, she would have to get new fake IDs, as one day she wouldn't be able to pass for her real age. But that hopefully wouldn't happen for another five years or so, giving her some time to just be herself.
After being away for more than a week, Bella was eager to see her mom again. These past six months living together had been wonderful. Their relationship was now better than ever. It seemed the changes in her had also had the added benefit of making their personalities more aligned, and they found they had a lot more in common in interests and desires. They had already embarked on several trips together. Shortly after her return, they had traveled to New York so her mom could experience all the sights of the Big Apple. Bella had always heard the longing in her mom's voice when she talked about her travels, so when she suggested they take off together, her mom had been more than happy to finally explore more of the country.
For the Fourth of July long weekend, they had taken a fun trip to Los Angeles, where Bella was able to show her mom some of her favorite sights in LA. They had relaxed on the beach together, which was pretty hard to do in landlocked Phoenix, and while her mom actually got a sun tan, Bella had tried her hand at surfing. She quickly learned that while she had the skills to do it, she really needed someone to teach her the techniques, as she didn't know what she was doing and fell off the board a lot. It had been great fun, though.
After racing past Denver on her way to Phoenix, Bella found herself passing through a scenic ski community called Glenwood Springs. The forests were particularly lush, with a vibrant canopy of green that looked inviting and serene. The area exuded a sense of tranquility, making it seem like a wonderful place to live. As she sped past, a strange feeling washed over her. It was almost like a calling from somewhere unseen, urging her to slow down. Obeying the unusual feeling, she brought herself to a stop and began to look around.
The area was indeed lovely, with the midday sun breaking through the evergreens sporadically, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor. She started to walk along a narrow path, listening to the birds singing high above her. The air was crisp and refreshing, carrying the strong scent of earth and pine.
As she continued, Bella came to a small clearing where she saw a flat, weathered rock bathed in sunlight. Something about the rock called to her, drawing her in. She approached it and sat down, the warmth of the sun-soaked stone seeping into her. A strange feeling of déjà vu washed over her, despite knowing she had never been here before.
Comfortable and at ease, Bella began lifting rocks around her, sensing this would be the perfect place to practice her abilities. Her control had been continually advancing as she made a point to practice daily no matter where she found herself. She spun the rocks in the air, enjoying herself as she always felt more relaxed when she was exerting some sort of energy.
Sitting on the flat rock, she felt an unexpected connection with everything around her. The sun, the trees, the birds—all of it seemed to resonate with her, as if she were part of the natural rhythm of this place. It was a strange but good feeling, grounding her in the moment and reminding her of the beauty of the world.
Later that night, Bella began to enter Phoenix proper, the familiar desert landscape gradually giving way to houses and suburban neighborhoods. The transition from vast, open spaces to the clustered dwellings of civilization made her focus more closely on her surroundings. She carefully navigated through the quiet streets, her heightened senses picking up every subtle sound and movement, ensuring her passage was swift and unnoticed.
Finally, she reached her house, a comforting and familiar sight. She approached the front door, silently unlocking it and slipping inside with the grace of a shadow. She paused for a moment, listening intently, and could hear the steady, rhythmic breathing of her mother, sound asleep in her room. The house was shrouded in darkness, but Bella didn't need to flip on any lights; her vision allowed her to see everything with perfect clarity.
Her gaze fell on the boxes she had shipped from Boston, now neatly stacked near the sofa. She quickly moved the boxes to her room, her movements fluid and silent, not wanting to disturb her mom's sleep.
She decided to unpack them later, feeling more inclined to catch up on the news she had missed over the past week while traveling. She booted up her laptop, the soft glow of the screen illuminating her face. As she scanned through the headlines, the quiet hum of the house and the distant sounds of the night outside filled her with a sense of calm and belonging. Her journey to Boston had been necessary, and as she had hoped, it had provided the closure that she needed.
I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. It felt right to give Bella some closure with her college life. Please don't put much thought into the section with Bella and the unusual events in Colorado. It was more of an inside baseball moment. For those who don't know, that rock was where Bella from my other story, My Beautiful Angel, did most of her practicing with her abilities. I thought it would be fun to place this Bella in the same spot. Bella does not have the ability to sense other versions of herself from other realities; I was just having fun with the scene and I wanted to use a new and improved cover image for this chapter which mirrors the image I used for my other story.
In the next chapter, Bella and her mom will be celebrating her 22nd birthday in Vegas. All I'll say is shenanigans ensue.
Reviews or comments are appreciated. I enjoy reading your feedback, and if you have questions, please post them. I'll happily answer anything as long as it doesn't delve into future events in the story.