Chapter 19: The Rescue
A month later, Bella found herself in Los Angeles, gazing up at the iconic Hollywood sign illuminated against the dark night sky. It was hard to believe, but in just three days, it would be her birthday again—a milestone that made her reflect on everything that had happened to her in the past year.
The roller coaster ride of her new existence had taken her from the depths of despair to heights she had never thought possible. She remembered waking up in fire, disoriented and frightened; it had truly felt like a nightmare. Each day in the beginning had been a constant battle, a desperate internal fight to gain control over her own body. Those harsh days and nights alone in the forest seemed like a distant memory now, although she would never forget what she had done.
Slowly, though, things had improved. She learned to navigate her new world, finding strength and resilience she hadn't known she possessed. Now, here she stood, in the heart of a city known for its allure and mystique.
Bella took a deep breath, savoring the moment. A profound sense of contentment washed over her, a level of peace she had never experienced when she had been human. She had finally found the balance she craved in her new existence, embracing all the changes thrust upon her and discovering joy in each new night. The vibrancy of Los Angeles, with all its possibilities, beckoned to her. She felt a surge of anticipation to start exploring every corner of the city, eager to uncover its secrets. Added to that, the allure of California, with its diverse landscapes and endless adventures, promising her even more excitement and discovery ahead.
Standing in front of the Hollywood sign, a place human Bella would never have considered going, perfectly highlighted and helped her differentiate between her two realities. She truly saw herself as two different people. There was the human Bella, whose life had effectively ended on the last day of her teenage years. Then there was this new Bella, still finding her way but, oh, was she enjoying the ride.
After she had left Chicago, she had started traveling west, and now, on the eve of her birthday, she was experiencing the world in ways she never thought would be possible. Her control and appetite had continued to improve, and she was now able to go a week between meals. This newfound stability allowed her to immerse herself in the human world more confidently. Each night, she pushed herself, spending as much time as she could around people, working on her control.
The vibrant nightlife of Los Angeles was intoxicating. For the past few days, she had wandered through busy streets lined with palm trees, passed neon-lit theaters, and strolled along bustling boardwalks, soaking in the sights and sounds. There were so many people in LA, and she had barely scratched the surface of the city. She marveled at the street performers, their talents ranging from musicians to magicians, each one adding to the city's allure.
Bella was determined to visit her mom this coming year, a goal that drove her nightly excursions. She needed her control to be absolute. Rationally, she knew it was already safe enough for her to visit, but still, she kept telling herself, just a little bit longer. She couldn't risk any slip-ups, not around her mother.
Her life had improved in many other ways as well. Gone were the days when she was breaking into houses. On her first night in LA, she had rented a remote cabin deep in the forest. Surrounded by towering trees and the quiet hum of nature, the cabin provided a secluded spot for her to spend her days honing her abilities. The dense forest also allowed her to work on her flying, her movements growing more graceful and confident the more she practiced.
Bella financed her new life the only way she could at the moment: by taking the money from her victims. Since she only targeted criminals, mostly drug dealers, she had been lucky several times, finding large sums of cash on them. It seemed the drug trade truly was a cash business, so now she was set for the foreseeable future. She didn't really have many expenses, living a minimalist lifestyle that suited her fine.
Her biggest purchase had been a sleek new laptop, a device that kept her connected to the broader world and allowed her to stay in touch with her friends. The reality of her situation was slowly dawning on her—that eventually, her current friendships wouldn't be able to continue, as she wasn't aging. She was acutely aware that one day she would have to say goodbye, but she wasn't emotionally ready for that yet. For now, the laptop served as a lifeline to the normalcy she once knew.
Besides her laptop, she bought clothes when needed, favoring practical and durable items that suited her new lifestyle and strength. Now that she was finally near the ocean, she planned to buy a new bathing suit soon. It was a shame no one would be able to see her in it; she imagined she would fill out a bikini quite well these days. Other than lodging, she pretty much lived off the grid.
As she left the Hollywood sign behind, she decided to head to the Santa Monica Pier. The cool night air brushed against her skin, carrying with it the distant sounds of the city. Soon, the pier's lights shimmered invitingly in the distance, a colorful spectacle against the dark ocean.
Walking along the pier, the scent of the ocean filled the air, which she liked, coupled with the smells of all the yummy humans which she liked even more. Thankfully, they were no longer in any danger from her. The Ferris wheel turned slowly, its lights casting a kaleidoscope of colors over the water. Families strolled by, their chatter blending into a comforting hum.
Seeing a group of teen girls chatting animatedly near the arcade, Bella's thoughts drifted back to that incident in Chicago where she had saved a girl's life. The memory replayed in her mind—the speeding car, the terrified girl, and her own swift intervention. It had stirred something deep within her, a desire to use her abilities for good. Since that night she had been trying to think of ways she could help others without revealing her true nature.
After doing some research on her laptop, she came across the idea of getting a police scanner. It would alert her to local crimes in progress, giving her the chance to intervene in ways the police couldn't. Maybe if the bad guys got away from the cops, they wouldn't have as easy a time eluding her. The thought made her smile, but she knew she had to be careful. She didn't want to draw any attention to herself.
Lost in her musings, Bella found herself standing at the end of the pier, gazing out over the dark expanse of the Pacific Ocean. The stars twinkled above, their light reflecting off the gentle waves. She took a deep breath, savoring the salty breeze, and felt a sense of calm wash over her. She resolved to find a way to help others, to use her abilities for good. Even though she didn't know exactly how yet, she was determined to make a difference.
"Happy birthday, baby," Bella's mom said over the phone, her voice warm and cheerful. Today marked Bella's 21st birthday, and she had promised both her parents she would call them, ensuring there wouldn't be a repeat of what happened last year.
"Thanks, Mom. You do realize I'm 21 now and not a baby anymore, right?" Bella said, smiling as she relaxed on a park bench. The air was warm, and the clear night sky was dotted with stars, which she was sure were twinkling just for her in celebration of her big day.
"You could be 100, and you would still be my baby, honey. Now, tell me how you celebrated your birthday." Her mom's voice radiated happiness, which always had a way of making Bella feel content. She had already spoken to Charlie earlier before she went out for the night, and he had expressed similar sentiments about always seeing her as his little girl. She assumed the true reason behind their words was that neither of her parents wanted to admit they were getting older.
"Well, I just finished having a really good meal," Bella began, leaning back on the park bench, the leaves rustled gently above her, casting intricate shadows on the ground as the breeze played through the trees. "I wasn't particularly hungry, but I thought it's my birthday, and there's no harm in indulging a little, so I went out to eat."
"That's nice. What did you have?" her mom asked with interest on the other end of the line.
"Chinese, actually. It was the first time I've had that since I was back in Boston," Bella replied, her grin widening as she thought back to the earlier encounter with the Asian drug dealer who had crossed her path. She had wondered if his blood would taste any different, but no—blood was blood, no matter where it came from. "Seeing the country this past year, I've mostly been eating American. It was nice to change things up a bit."
"Oh, I had Chinese food the other day too. What did your fortune cookie say?" her mom asked excitedly. She always paid more attention to things of that nature, believing in the little messages tucked inside.
"Ahh… It said 'You have an insatiable thirst for adventure,'" Bella made up on the spot, her mind quickly weaving a tale.
"It knows, honey. Always follow the cookie!" Her mom's tone was serious, which made Bella giggle.
"Oh, always, Mom," Bella replied, smiling as she watched a young couple holding hands walk by. Seeing the happy couple reminded her that she hadn't made a wish this year. In the past, she usually wished for a boyfriend, and once she had David, she had wished for... well, sex. That wish hadn't panned out, but then again, she had made it before her birthday, so it hadn't truly been a birthday wish.
Bella pondered what she could wish for this year. The possibilities were endless, and thousands of thoughts began swirling through her mind. She could wish for more control over her powers, a chance to reconnect with her family, or even the hope of finding others like her. The stars above twinkled as if urging her to make a decision.
Before she could settle on a wish, her mom brought her attention back to their conversation. "You know, I ran into Sandy's mom the other day at the supermarket. She told me Sandy was doing really well in Texas. She asked about you and wished you a happy birthday too."
"That's nice of her. I'm glad Sandy's doing great," Bella responded, her voice tinged with a bittersweet note. She still emailed her friends but wasn't calling as often as she had when her life first turned upside down. She planned to tell her mom everything when she saw her, but she couldn't go around telling everyone. If she did, it would inevitably get out, and she had no idea what sort of can of worms that could open up. She wasn't sure how to maintain her friendships long-term while keeping such a big secret. Shaking her head, she tried to banish any negative thoughts. Her birthday was supposed to be a happy day.
Bella and her mom talked for another hour, mostly about her mom's job. Unfortunately, she also had to endure hearing about her mom's new boyfriend and how she hoped he might be the one. Bella just had to smile and nod along, amused by her mom's eternal optimism. Hearing how Duncan already wasn't all that he could be, even though he had been in the Army, told Bella that he probably wouldn't be around for long.
One month later, Bella was attempting something new. Her current way of dining on drug dealers had been working well for her, but it had occurred to her that while taking out a random drug dealer here and there helped a little, there was always another eager and ready to take his place. The bigger offenders were the ones who made the drugs or distributed them to all the street-level dealers she had been munching on. This thought had led her to tonight, where she would attempt to find and take out the distribution ring supplying their product to a great many dealers. She would attack the problem right at the source.
With this goal in mind, Bella had been following a drug dealer named Dennis for the past two nights. She hated doing it, but she watched him conduct his grim business in a seedy part of town, the neon lights of a rundown motel casting an eerie glow over his transactions. She had grown to dislike him intensely, especially after seeing him sell to kids. His smarmy grin as he handed over the small bags of poison to wide-eyed teenagers made her want to forget her whole plan and just make him disappear, but she held firm.
She really hoped Dennis would lead her up the chain of command. If she could find out where the drug dealers got their product from, she could take out the whole operation, which would do a lot more good for the community—at least until some other entrepreneurial dealer stepped up to take the reins. Even if Dennis didn't lead her directly to his suppliers tonight, she knew his days were numbered.
Tonight might be the night, as Dennis was not heading to his usual spot. Bella followed him silently from a distance through the dimly lit streets of a rundown Los Angeles community. The one-story houses that littered each block had all seen better days, their peeling paint and broken windows telling stories of neglect and hardship. Bella could hear the muffled sounds of life inside—raised voices, crying children, and the occasional blare of a television. The occupants' lives were clearly not much better than the state of their homes.
The air was thick with the smell of exhaust and decay, a stark contrast to the vibrant, bustling parts of the city she liked to explore. This seemed like the perfect area to find what she was looking for. Gang violence had to be pretty prevalent around these parts; she had already heard two gunshots ring out in the distance as she followed Dennis. He hadn't seemed to react or mind the noises, walking with a casual indifference that suggested he was no stranger to the dangers of the night.
Eventually, Dennis approached and soon entered a house, making Bella smile. This might be it. She crept closer, blending into the shadows so she could listen in on what was being said. She wasn't going to make her presence known until she was certain this was the place.
Listening intently, she caught everything that was being said inside and, more importantly, she picked up on the scents wafting from the house. The acrid smell of chemicals mingled with the unmistakable scent of hard drugs. From what she heard, they were not only selling but also cooking meth in there. Perfect. She focused her heightened senses, distinguishing five heartbeats inside. She shrugged; it was unlikely she could drain five men, so some of the blood would have to go to waste.
It was just past nine, and the neighborhood was quiet, with only the occasional distant siren piercing the stillness of the night. Bella was poised to move in when she heard it—a baby crying from inside the house. She froze. What was she going to do? Bella had been so relieved that she had never killed a child during those early months when she would not have been able to stop herself. She was most certainly not going to start now.
She listened closely, her sensitive hearing picking up every word exchanged inside. One of the men was berating another to shut his kid up. As she continued to eavesdrop, the story unfolded, filling her with deep sadness. The baby's mother had died last month due to an overdose, and still, the father had brought his child into that toxic environment to cook meth. She could hear the father making excuses, saying that the baby had no other relatives he could stick the kid with.
Bella tried to control her anger. She needed a clear head before she decided what to do. Her mind raced as she weighed her options, the sounds of the night around her fading into the background. She thought long and hard, deciding what would be the best course of action for her and for that baby. Her heightened senses picked up every detail—the creak of the floorboards inside, the muffled conversations, and the distant hum of traffic.
The decision was made for her when the baby started crying again, its wails cutting through the stillness of the night like a knife. One of the men growled, presumably at the father, "If you don't shut that kid up, I will." That was all she needed to hear. Bella knew she had to act. She would kill the men and get that baby out of there. An orphanage would have to be better than growing up in that sort of environment.
Now decided, Bella thought about what would be the best way for this situation to play out. She determined that after she had her fill, she could set fire to the house with the corpses inside and let the police think it was caused by an accident from the product they were cooking. That should cover up her handiwork. She would take the baby with her and deliver him or her to an orphanage. Thinking about how she would do this, she really didn't want to go in guns blazing, so to speak, as she didn't know where the baby was in the house.
She had seen Dennis leave a few minutes ago, so maybe she could just walk right up to the door and knock, saying she worked for Dennis and he needed more product. Usually, when men saw her, they were putty in her hands and would do anything she asked. She sometimes wondered if it was just her new body and face or if she had some type of hypnotic power over men now as well.
Bella had dressed in a sweatshirt with a hoodie to better blend in, but now that she wanted their attention and for them to be distracted, she took it off and pulled down her white top a little to better show off the goods. The cool night air brushed against her exposed skin, but she paid it no mind. She walked up to the door carefully, glancing around to make sure no one was watching, and knocked.
She heard one of the men inside tell the others to keep working while he checked who was at the door. The sound of heavy footsteps approached, and the door swung open, revealing a rather large man. He had a shaved head and a thick neck, with tattoos snaking up his arms and disappearing under the sleeves of his shirt. One tattoo caught Bella's eye—a skull with a snake slithering through its eye sockets, inked in dark, menacing lines.
The man looked at her suspiciously at first, his eyes narrowing. But as he took her in, or rather, mostly took in her breasts, his expression softened slightly. "Yeah, what do you want?" he asked, his voice gruff but with a hint of curiosity.
Bella gave her sultriest smile, her eyes twinkling with a mix of allure and confidence. "Hey, Dennis sent me. He said he needs some more product and asked me to bring it to him. He's got a big fish on the hook and needs it right away. He gave me the money to give to you." That should do the trick, she thought.
The man narrowed his eyes, studying her for a few moments. Then he glanced past her and spoke loudly, his voice booming. "Yo, Dennis! This bitch says she's workin' for you. That true?"
Bella swore in her head and turned to look behind her. Just her luck—Dennis had come back and was walking up towards the house, his face showing only confusion at seeing her standing there. She turned back towards the man in the doorway and found herself staring down the barrel of a… what was that, an Uzi? And it was pointed directly at her face. The cold black metal glinted in the dim light just inches from her eyes.
Dennis spoke up behind her, his voice sharp and suspicious. "No, man, I've never seen that pale skinny ass before. I just came back 'cause I left my phone inside."
Bella smiled at the guy holding the gun to her face, giving him a little shrug with her shoulders, but he was not having it.
"Inside, bitch, and you can tell us who you really are. And you better not be the cops, or you ain't leaving on your own two feet," he growled. He backed up, still pointing the gun at her, and motioned with the gun for her to enter.
Well, it certainly hadn't gone to plan, but at least she was inside. Bella stepped through the doorway, glad she had not been forced to do anything supernatural outside where the neighbors would be able to see. As she walked inside, her senses were immediately assaulted by the stench of chemicals and decay. The interior of the house was even worse than she had imagined. The living room was cluttered with dirty, sagging furniture and piles of trash. A haze of smoke hung in the air, which she was sure would be stinging any human's eyes and throat.
As the man led Bella through the house and into the kitchen where the operation seemed to be in full swing, she cataloged where all the men were. The kitchen was a chaotic mess of glass pipes and tubes with open flames scattered throughout. The acrid stench of chemicals filled the air. The countertops were cluttered with makeshift lab equipment, and the floor was sticky with spilled substances.
When the men in the kitchen saw her and the guy holding a gun at her, they all withdrew their weapons, making it so there were now four guns pointed at her. The flickering fluorescent light above them made the whole scene feel even more surreal.
"Okay. Start talking, and we might let you live," the man behind Bella demanded, his voice cold and threatening.
Bella's mind raced, calculating her next move. She heard the loud cry of the baby coming from the room off to her left. One of the men in the kitchen turned as if he wanted to go quiet the baby down, but the man behind her barked, "God damn it, Leeroy. Don't you fucking think of leaving to check on that brat. You're needed here."
The man, Leeroy, hesitated, casting a glance towards the sound of the baby's cries but stayed put with his weapon pointed at Bella. She felt the muzzle of the Uzi press harder against the back of her neck, the cold metal pushing into her skin.
"Well?" the man yelled, his voice rising in anger. "Who sent you?"
Bella couldn't really think of any pithy comments and thought saying anything cliché would just make her look foolish, so she acted. She turned around so fast that she was behind the man before anyone could process what was happening and snapped his neck with a swift, brutal twist. His body crumpled to the floor with a sickening thud.
As she looked up at the others, she saw the shock and disbelief etched on their faces, their eyes wide with horror. But she realized quickly that she should not have paused at all. After a second had gone by, all three men opened fire on her, the roar of gunfire deafening in the confined space.
Bullets tore through the air, and the kitchen erupted into chaos. The sound of glass shattering and metal clanging filled her ears as she moved with blinding speed. By the time she reached the next closest guy and snapped his neck, bullets were spraying wildly all over the place. She barely had time to register the sight of Dennis dropping in a hail of gunfire, caught in the crossfire as they tried to hit her.
Bella had encased herself in her bubble, deflecting the bullets, but she hadn't been expecting them all to have automatic weapons. The sheer volume of gunfire was overwhelming. It sounded like hundreds of bullets were being fired all at once, the walls and counters were being riddled with holes, the acrid smell of gunpowder mingling with the chemical stench.
She continued on her path, moving through the chaos with deadly precision. The kitchen was being destroyed around her, the makeshift lab equipment exploding into shards of glass and twisted metal. Flames from the burners licked at the spilled chemicals, creating bursts of fire that added to the pandemonium.
The action felt like it had gone on forever, each second stretching into an eternity, but in reality, only a few moments had passed. Her movements were a blur as she systematically took down the last remaining man. The man, Leeroy fell with a look of stunned disbelief on his face, his weapon falling from his limp fingers as he hit the floor.
Bella stood amidst the wreckage, amped up from the violence that had just gone down. The kitchen looked like a war zone, debris scattered everywhere, the walls scorched and blackened. She took a moment to calm herself, her senses alert for any further threats.
Taking in the scene, Bella cursed under her breath. There was no way she could enjoy draining anyone after all that. That had to be the loudest, least stealthy kill she had ever seen. After all that racket, the cops had to already be on their way and would be here any second. Putting her hunger aside as the scent of blood was thick in the air, she hurried to the other room to make sure the baby was okay and found him lying on a bed, his cries loud and piercing.
Clearly a boy, dressed in a blue jumper, he looked to be about one, maybe a bit older. His tiny face was scrunched up in distress, tears streaming down his cheeks. Given the cacophony that had just assaulted his ears, his reaction was understandable. Bella scooped him up gently, cradling him in her arms as she rocked him softly, trying to calm him down.
"It's okay, little guy," she whispered, her voice soothing. "You're safe now."
As she looked around the room, her eyes fell on a large duffle bag sitting on the desk next to the bed. It was filled with stacks of cash. "Well, well, well," she muttered with a wry smile. They had been busy.
She walked over and slung the duffle bag over her shoulder, the weight of the money much greater than the weight of the baby—a stark reminder of the life these men had led. She could already hear the faint sounds of sirens in the distance, growing louder with each passing second. "Shit," she hissed. She had wanted to burn down the house, but thinking about it, since she hadn't drained anyone, she figured it would be fine for the cops to see her handiwork. Nothing supernatural had happened here.
Bella walked with the baby back into the kitchen to make sure everything looked normal. The scene was a chaotic mess of shattered glass, dead bodies, and the acrid smell of chemicals mingling with the lingering smoke. She regarded the dead men longingly, her hunger gnawing at her. She would have to work on how she handled pressure situations if she ever wanted to try something like this again. That had been a real shit show.
The baby in her arms whimpered softly, the sound a stark contrast to the violence that had just unfolded. She wanted to get out of there quickly; inhaling these fumes couldn't be good for him. Bella was just about to leave when one of the larger pieces of equipment the men had been using to make the drugs exploded with a deafening roar.
Bella turned subconsciously, her body a shield for the baby, while at the same time she wrapped a large bubble around herself, protecting them both from the blast. The force of the explosion rocked the house, sending debris flying in all directions. The rest of the kitchen reacted violently, and the entire house followed suit.
The walls buckled, and the ceiling collapsed inward as the shockwave from the explosion tore through the structure. Flames erupted from the spilled chemicals, quickly spreading and engulfing the kitchen in an inferno. As the entire house exploded, Bella shot up through the falling roof, debris raining down around her as she ascended into the sky.
Damn, Bella had not been expecting that. She hung in midair roughly 1000 feet up, looking down at the destruction of the house. The baby was crying again, his wails piercing through the night air. She rocked him gently, her gaze fixed on the smoldering ruins below. The once-standing structure was now a fiery inferno, debris scattered across the yard, flames licking at the night sky. Thankfully, the adjacent houses hadn't caught fire, and she could see the people living in them coming out to view the destruction.
Her mission had not gone as she had expected or hoped, but at least it was done. She looked down at the baby in her arms, his tiny face scrunched up in distress. "Come on, little guy. Let's go back to my place, and I'll find you a nice new home that I promise will be better than that place," she murmured softly, her voice soothing despite the chaos around them.
Bella saw the flashing lights of police cars speeding towards the explosion, sirens wailing in the distance. It was time to leave. She took one last look at the destruction, a grim reminder of the night's events, and then flew off towards the cabin she was staying at. She had never flown over a city before, and she hoped no one would be able to spot her in the darkness of night. The air rushed past her as she soared through the sky.
The baby's cries gradually quieted, and soon he had fallen asleep, his small body relaxing against her. The rhythmic motion of flying seemed to soothe him, and Bella was grateful for the reprieve. The city's lights eventually faded into the distance as she headed towards the secluded forest where her cabin was located.
She landed softly outside the cabin, where the tall trees allowed only slivers of moonlight to pierce through their dense branches. The night was still, the sounds of the forest a stark contrast to the earlier chaos. Bella moved quickly and silently, her footsteps barely making a sound as she entered the cabin.
She knew she would find a place for the baby by tomorrow, but she still needed some necessities as she obviously had nothing for a baby—or a human in general—in the cabin. The baby was sleeping peacefully now, his tiny chest rising and falling with each breath. Bella carefully placed him on her bed and surrounded him with pillows to ensure he wouldn't roll off. She watched him for a moment, making sure he was secure.
With that done, Bella shot out the front door, speeding through the dense forest as fast as she could. The night air was cool and crisp against her skin as she moved with supernatural speed. Within ten minutes, she found a Walmart that was still open.
She entered the store, noting it was mostly empty at this late hour. Bella quickly navigated the aisles, grabbing a bottle, formula, diapers, and a car seat. She felt a strange sense of urgency, knowing the baby was alone and vulnerable back at the cabin.
As she stood in line at the checkout, the cashier gave her a puzzled look, probably wondering why someone would be buying baby supplies at this late hour. Bella smiled politely, paying for the items quickly before rushing back to the cabin.
The return journey was swift, and relief washed over her as she re-entered her bedroom and found the baby still sleeping exactly as she had left him. She watched him sleep for a few minutes, wishing she could join him in the nightly ritual. But she knew she had work to do. She gently lifted the blanket a little higher as his arms were exposed. "Don't worry, little guy," she whispered, more to herself than to him. "I'll find you a good home."
Bella booted up her laptop, the screen casting a soft glow in the dimly lit cabin. Once it was ready, she began her research on orphanages. Her fingers flew across the keyboard as she sifted through information, learning about various institutions and their reputations. The more she read, the more determined she became to find the best possible place for the baby.
She looked up which orphanages were considered the best in California, reading reviews and testimonials. Eventually, she decided on one far away in Sacramento. It had glowing reviews and seemed to genuinely care about the well-being of the children. She wanted to give the baby the best chance of having a good life.
Bella glanced over at the duffle bag on the floor, stuffed with stacks of cash. She wasn't in need of the money, as she was doing quite well financially. An idea struck her, and she decided she would hold it for the baby. When he got older, she would set up a college fund for him using the money. The thought brought a smile to her face. After what she had just witnessed, she was determined to ensure his life turned out better than his father's had.
As the baby slept, Bella sat down to write a note to leave with him at the front door of the orphanage. When she reached the part where she needed to write his name, she paused, realizing she didn't know it. She glanced through the open door at the sleeping baby, his tiny form peaceful under the covers.
With a nod to herself, she decided to give him her father's name. She returned to the note and carefully wrote, "His name is Charles..." She paused, thinking for a moment about what his last name would be. A smile spread across her face as she decided, writing down, "Jenkins." Charles Jenkins. The name felt right.
The next day was spent running with the baby up to Sacramento. Bella was pleased that the baby liked traveling so fast, as he laughed often while she sped through the forests with him in his car seat. Once in Sacramento, she waited until well past nightfall to deliver the baby to the orphanage. Assuming there were cameras at the front door, she walked him normally up to it in his car seat. She wore a sweatshirt and hoodie to ensure she couldn't be seen at all.
Gently, she placed the car seat down, ensuring the baby was snug and warm. She took the note she had written the night before and tucked it securely into his pocket. Bending down, she whispered, "Goodbye, little Charlie. Please have a long and happy life. I'll check in on you every now and then." The baby looked up at her with wide, curious eyes, their dark depths reflecting the dim light. Standing up, she rang the doorbell, then turned quickly and walked away at a normal speed until she was out of sight. Once hidden, she sped away, finding another vantage point where she could watch unnoticed.
To her relief, a woman appeared at the door moments later. She picked up the baby, her expression a mix of surprise and concern. Bella watched as the woman looked around, searching the shadows for any sign of who had left the child. Seeing no one, the woman took the baby inside, the door closing softly behind her. Bella smiled, silently watching the front door close. She hoped she had done right by him. She believed she had.
I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. I liked the image of Bella and the baby flying through the roof into the air as the house exploded. I tried creating a picture of the scene for the cover image, but the tool I use just wouldn't produce one that looked good enough or followed the scene as I had written it. Feedback, as always, is appreciated—I enjoy reading your comments.