Chapter 20: Victory
Bella was quickly falling in love with the California lifestyle. She had already discovered that the state's vastness and diversity offered endless adventures, which she eagerly embraced. Though she kept her main base at her cabin near Los Angeles, she had already taken several trips, traveling across the state by day and exploring the sights by night.
One of the brochures she had picked up when she first arrived in California was for the Redwood National Park, highlighting the giant redwood trees that populated the northern part of the state. After dropping off little Charlie, Bella seized the opportunity to travel further north to see the majestic trees for herself. Once she arrived, she realized the mental images she had pictured hadn't done them justice. The actual trees far exceeded her expectations, towering into the sky like something from another world.
She flew around them, reveling in their sheer size and beauty, discovering secrets high in the trunks and branches that she was sure no human had ever seen. The massive trees created a world unto themselves, their expansive limbs forming a complex maze that Bella eagerly explored.
On the way back to LA, Bella made a stop in San Francisco and took a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. The view was breathtaking, the city skyline beautifully framed against the backdrop of the bay. About halfway across, she paused to take some videos of the towering structures above her and the expansive bay, capturing the iconic Alcatraz Island in the distance. The cool breeze tugged at her hair, and she let out a breath, just marveling at the beauty of her surroundings.
It was in San Francisco that she had the opportunity to save another person, this time a young woman much like herself. Unlike in Chicago, however, she had been actively looking for a meal when she heard screams for help. Rushing to the scene, she came across a horrifying sight—a man attacking a woman in a dark alley, about to do unspeakable things. Her rage flared, and thankfully, she arrived in time to pull the man off the terrified girl before any true horrors were committed.
"Run!" Bella yelled at the girl, who thankfully obeyed without looking back. The girl's panicked footsteps faded into the night, leaving Bella alone with the predator. Usually, she snapped her victims' necks first, a mercy she gave them to ensure a swift end. But after witnessing what this man had intended to do, she decided he deserved no mercy.
The alley was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from a streetlamp casting long, eerie shadows. The man's eyes widened in terror as Bella pushed him against the cold brick wall, pinning him in place with a strength beyond his imagination.
As she sank her teeth into his neck, she clamped his mouth shut, muffling his screams. The warm rush of blood filled her mouth, tasting sweeter than usual. She drank slowly, savoring each moment, feeling the life ebbing out of him with every swallow. His struggles grew weaker, his heartbeat slowing until it finally ceased. By the end, Bella knew justice had been served.
As she set the body alight in the dumpster, Bella's thoughts drifted to the girl who had run to safety. Hopefully, she would be okay and wouldn't be traumatized for long. In all her time this past year on the streets, this was the first violent sexual crime she had come across. The weight of the night's grim events pressed down on her as she watched the fire consume its perpetrator.
She wondered if the woman would be glad that her attacker had met his own violent end. Would she feel a sense of relief or closure knowing that the man who had meant her harm was no longer a threat? Bella pondered how she herself would have felt if she were still human and in that girl's position.
Bella was so different now. Sometimes it was difficult for her to rationalize how she might have thought before her life had so irrevocably changed. While she still held onto a strong moral center, it had adapted to fit her current lifestyle, which by any human standard was highly immoral. To her, though, it was just the way life was now—a necessary adaptation for survival.
She pulled out her compact mirror, a small silver piece she always kept in her pocket, and checked her reflection to make sure her face was clean. The mirror reflected her pale, perfect features back at her, unmarked by the night's violence. She thought about the future and when she might eventually return to school. The idea of taking philosophy courses intrigued her. Exploring questions of morality, existence, and the human condition from her unique perspective would be fascinating.
On the journey back to LA, Bella thought about other places she would like to visit. Now, 21 and officially an adult, she knew she would love to visit a place like Las Vegas. Unlike before, when her mom had offered, she was now ready to embrace everything, including 'Sin City.' She imagined herself strolling along the Strip, the neon signs casting vibrant reflections in her eyes, and the electrifying anticipation of trying her hand at gambling. The thought brought a smile to her face. However, she had a problem—she had no form of identification. Without an ID, she couldn't even enter a casino, let alone try her luck at the tables.
Bella knew she would have to look into obtaining fake documents eventually, but she had no idea how to go about it or where to find someone who could help. The only criminals she was familiar with were the drug dealers she drained, and she doubted they were the right people to ask for such information. The world of forgeries and fake IDs seemed like a different part of the criminal underworld, one she had yet to encounter.
It was a bright, sunny day, the kind that made the forest around Bella's cabin come alive with vibrant hues and the gentle rustling of leaves. She had been working on her flying for hours, trying to perfect her spins and twirls while in flight. Encasing her bubble around her midsection was beyond easy. The real challenge was manipulating and moving the bubble with such precision that it would make her movements appear graceful and effortless. As she flew, her hair streamed behind her, catching the sunlight in a cascade of shimmering strands which, along with her glittering body, would put on a show if anyone ever saw her.
Simple flying, though, was no longer enough. To add complexity to her practice sessions, Bella liked to incorporate additional elements into the mix. Many times she liked to float something else beside her while she flew, such as a rock. The real tests she loved to work on involved performing tasks while in constant motion. Using different bubbles to stack rocks one on top of another was quite easy for her, but when she added her own body spinning around the rocks at the same time, it added just the difficulty she was looking for.
Her face was set in concentration, but she was sure there would be a spark of joy in her eyes. She loved to challenge herself; the push to improve was everything to her. Each successful maneuver brought a rush of exhilaration, a sense of accomplishment that drove her to try even more complex tasks. The forest was her playground, the trees and rocks her tools in her quest for perfection.
The sun had set long ago, and Bella felt a sense of accomplishment as she had been able to see a notable improvement. The night air was cool, and the forest was now bathed in darkness. She realized it was too late to head into the city to practice her tolerance around people; it was already the middle of the night. Instead, she decided to do a little exploring underwater and then catch some sunbathing when dawn broke.
Bella donned her new green bikini, a recent purchase that she thought complemented her pale skin. She flew high over the clouds, the night sky stretching endlessly above her, dotted with stars. The moon cast a silvery glow on the world below, and she reveled in the freedom of flying, the wind rushing past her.
Reaching the ocean, Bella hovered for a moment, taking in the vast expanse of water below. The waves shimmered under the moonlight, creating a mesmerizing, ever-moving pattern. She loved the solitude and the peacefulness of the open ocean. She had found that she could sunbathe in the middle of the ocean where she would be alone. Sadly, there would never be any sandy beaches for her to relax on as there was a slight chance her fellow beachgoers might notice the sparkles.
Now miles out over the sea, Bella scanned the horizon and saw no boats or lights other than the stars above. Smiling, she aimed herself downward, shooting toward the ocean. When she was about 50 feet above the water, she shut off her bubble, falling the last bit before gracefully diving into the water.
With a couple of hours left before dawn, Bella spent the time swimming under the sea. Even with her enhanced vision, the nighttime ocean was a shadowy expanse, limiting her sight to only a few yards in front of her. Despite the darkness, she enjoyed herself, still amazed at all the underwater life that populated this underworld oasis. Fish of various shapes and sizes darted around her, their scales flashing in the faint light filtering from above.
She wondered how scared she would have been doing this if she were still human, especially when a large shark swam right by her. One moment it was nowhere to be seen, and then, suddenly, it was there, its massive form quite a bit larger than hers. Thankfully, it had not tried to bite her. She was sure it wouldn't have mattered if it had, but she might have tried to defend herself and hurt the shark in the process.
As she swam, Bella thought about the places she still wanted to explore. The ocean's depths called to her, and she knew she would have to visit more diverse climates to see tropical oases like the Great Barrier Reef. The idea of vibrant coral and colorful marine life excited her. She knew she had time and would eventually get there.
Finally, she noticed the light from above growing brighter, signaling the approach of dawn. She figured now was as good a time as any to get in some sun.
Breaking through the water, Bella looked around and saw no boats in sight. She let her body float up naturally until she was lying on the surface, letting the currents carry her this way and that. Glancing down at her body, she shook her head at the glittering spectacle she had become, her skin catching the sunlight and sparkling like a thousand tiny diamonds. With a sigh, she closed her eyes, allowing herself to relax in the tranquil embrace of the ocean.
By midday, the sun was at its highest point, bathing her in warmth. Bella reveled in the heated feeling of the sun on her body, the rays soaking into her skin. For the past few hours, she had been exercising her bubble, trying to manipulate it in different ways. She had discovered several new uses for her bubble in the past by experimenting like this, and she was always interested in learning what she was capable of.
While she worked on her bubble, Bella thought about the future. She knew she was ready to see her mom again. Any fears about losing control were long gone, replaced by a confidence she felt she had earned after months of relentless practice. The thought of a good visit filled her with hope. She was certain her mom would accept the new her. After her visit, Bella felt ready to expand her knowledge of the world by traveling to other countries.
The idea of exploring beyond the United States made her smile. She had never been out of the country and imagined the excitement of seeing Asia, Europe, and other continents one day. The allure of wandering through ancient cities and experiencing different cultures filled her with a sense of adventure.
Her mind wandered to James, and she smiled, realizing how he had been able to see so much of the world at such a young age. For all she knew, he could have been a hundred or even a thousand years old. She was beginning to understand the appeal of living a life unbound by time.
She was sure at some point her parents would want her to finish school. Charlie mentioned it often during their talks. That suited Bella just fine, as she wasn't happy with how her college career had ended. She had enjoyed the experience and wanted to complete it. Maybe one day she could look into night school.
Her mind drifted back to her experiences at BU, recalling the vibrant campus life, the late-night study sessions, and the camaraderie among friends. That final week, though, lingered in her memory with a mix of regret and longing. That last night with David had been a real eye-opener, a whirlwind of emotions and unexpected revelations. How she wished it had ended differently.
Many times, she liked to fantasize while pleasuring herself about what it would have been like if she had actually gone through with that threesome with David and Stephen. The night would have played out differently. She imagined David's bedroom, with all three of them filled with anticipation and desire. After David and Stephen had had their fun groping and sucking on her breasts, she pictured Stephen removing her panties, exposing herself fully to him and David.
In her fantasy, Stephen would then undress, his eyes never leaving hers as he led her to the bed. She would position herself on her hands and knees, facing David while Stephen got behind her. The thought of Stephen pounding away in her as she locked eyes with David, who watched her intently, made her shiver. She imagined the sounds of her moans and grunts filling the room, her breasts swinging back and forth with each thrust.
But sometimes, she went even further in the fantasy. She would picture David standing up, removing his clothes to reveal his long, hard member. He'd walk right in front of her, and she would take him into her mouth, sucking longingly as Stephen worked her over from behind. The thought of the dual sensations, the intense rhythm of Stephen's thrusts and the feel of David in her mouth, never failed to bring her to a shuddering climax.
Thinking about David again, she wondered if he and Stephen had ever became a thing. They had been best friends before that night.
While Bella was thinking about these things, she continued manipulating her bubble, which she had around her entire body. Whatever she was doing was causing some discomfort in her head. She opened her eyes and wiggled her shoulders, trying to alleviate the pressure, which felt almost like a headache.
The gentle waves rocked her back and forth as the sun's rays poured down, making her skin sparkle brilliantly. Each droplet of seawater on her body caught the light, enhancing the effect.
As she continued to manipulate the bubble around her, the discomfort in her head intensified. Suddenly, the light refracting off her sparkling body stopped. Bella's eyes widened in surprise. She lifted her head to look at herself, and for a millisecond, she was sure she had stopped sparkling. Her skin had appeared normal, smooth, and pale, as if she were just another human floating in the ocean under the sun. She didn't know if it was the shock that reverted her skin back, as she was sparkling again, but she was certain of what she had seen. Her body had looked completely normal, even while under the blazing sunlight.
Bella's mind raced, replaying the moment over and over. Had that really happened? Had she managed to suppress her sparkling skin? The realization was thrilling. If she could control it, even for a brief moment, it could change everything.
Bella quickly started repeating what she had been doing, her mind focused and intent. Watching closely this time, she beheld her sparkling self, the light dancing off her skin like a million tiny diamonds. As she worked with her bubble and the pain in her head intensified, she saw it—the sparkles around her skin flickered and shut off for a good two seconds before she lost control, and whatever she had been doing slipped away. That didn't matter. If she could do it now, she knew with practice she would improve.
Whooping with joy, Bella flung her arms high over her head in victory, the sound of her exuberance carried away by the gentle sea breeze. She was sure the smile on her face stretched from ear to ear. She could shut them off. She would one day be able to go outside during the day in full view of other people. She just had to practice and improve.
The ocean around her seemed to join in her celebration, the waves gently rocking her as she floated on her back, the sun's warmth embracing her like a long-lost friend. Bella shook her head, unable to contain her happiness. If only she had had that manual for her new body when she had gotten all these abilities. If she had known she could stop the sparkles, her life would have been so much easier this past year.
Bella spent the rest of the daylight hours working on this new variation of the bubble. Each attempt brought a mix of frustration and triumph, but by the time darkness descended, she had managed to hold off the sparkles for a 30-second timespan before losing her grip on this new form of bubble. The intense concentration required to hold the effect had left her feeling quite thirsty. Taking a deep breath of the cool evening air, she flew up into the sky, heading back towards her cabin.
Upon reaching her cabin, Bella walked into her bathroom and gazed at herself in the mirror. Just as she thought, her reflection showed a triumphant smile stretching across her face from ear to ear, her eyes gleaming with happiness. As she took off her bikini, her smile grew even wider. Soon, once she perfected her no-sparkle bubble, she could actually go sunbathing at the beach with everyone else, blending in without fear of exposure.
After a quick shower to wash off the lingering scent of the ocean, Bella donned some more appropriate clothes for the night ahead. Her mind buzzed with the possibilities that lay before her. Tonight was not just about quenching her thirst; it would also be a celebration of her discovery. The promise of a life where she could walk among humans in the daylight without fear filled her with hope. She was determined to spend the next day, and indeed all days to come, perfecting this new ability. The sparkles that had once marked her as different would soon be a thing of the past. She resolved to work tirelessly to shut those goddamn sparkles off permanently.
Three months later, and Bella was extremely proud of her progress. She could now shut off the sparkles for hours at a time. The key had indeed been constant practice. Day and night, she maintained this new bubble as long as she could, pushing herself to extend the duration each time. When the pressure in her head became unbearable, she would rest briefly before starting again. Each day, she found that the length of time she could maintain the bubble increased, her control growing stronger and more refined.
Today marked a momentous occasion as it was the first time she was going to test her new ability by going out in public during the day.
Bella walked along the Santa Monica pier, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the bustling scene around her. The pier was alive with activity, filled with families enjoying the rides, couples strolling hand in hand, and street performers entertaining the crowds. The vibrant energy of the place was infectious, and Bella found herself smiling as she moved through the throng of people.
She looked up into the sky, feeling the warmth of the sun on her face. She wore shorts and a tank top like most of the young women around her, and to her delight, she looked normal. Well, maybe normal wasn't the most accurate word. She was still attracting stares from both men and women, but she knew it was only because she was hot.
No, despite her pale skin, she blended in seamlessly with the crowd. The realization filled her with a profound sense of joy. If she could cry, she knew she would be shedding tears of happiness. Being able to do something as simple as going out in the daytime among other people once again felt like reclaiming a part of her humanity.
The world was so different being outside during the day. For the first few days, it felt like she was doing something she wasn't supposed to. The sunlight bathed everything in a warm, golden hue, bringing a vibrancy to the world that Bella hadn't realized she missed. Gradually, she grew accustomed to being around people in the sun, rediscovering the simple joys of daylight.
As she walked through the streets of Los Angeles, the city unfolded before her in ways she had never experienced. The bright sun illuminated the vibrant murals that adorned the buildings, making the colors pop with intensity. The bustling sidewalks were filled with people, their laughter and conversations creating a lively atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the quieter streets she had wandered during the night.
Bella marveled at the energy and life that pulsed through the city during the day. The sunlit streets were a stark contrast to the shadowed alleys she had grown accustomed to. She watched street performers captivating crowds with their talents, artists painting vivid landscapes, and vendors selling their colorful wares. The sun brought out a sense of community, a shared experience that she hadn't felt in the solitary nights of her previous existence.
As she stood in the middle of a busy plaza, she closed her eyes and let the sun warm her face. The light danced on her skin, and she felt a profound sense of belonging, a reconnection with a world she had thought lost to her forever. This was how life was supposed to be—filled with light, warmth, and the hum of humanity all around her. Bella opened her eyes, a smile spreading across her face. She was truly alive again, embracing the day with open arms.
After two weeks of going out each and every day, Bella knew it was time. She was going to see her mom, and now not even the sun could hold back their reunion. She smiled with anticipation as she touched the speed dial, listening for her mom to pick up. The phone rang twice before a familiar, cheerful voice greeted her.
"Bella, honey! It's nice to hear from you so early. What have you been up to today?" her mom said, her happiness evident in her tone.
"Hey mom. I'm actually at the beach right now, sunbathing, and I wanted to talk to you. I think I'm ready. Would you like a visitor in the next few days?" Bella smiled, knowing how happy this would make her mom.
"Oh, Bella. Yes! Please come home. When do you think you will be here?" Her mom's voice was tinged with emotion, as if she was trying to hold back tears.
"I'm in LA still, but if I leave tonight, I should be in Phoenix in two days. I'm really looking forward to seeing you, mom. I actually have a lot to tell you." She grinned, knowing that was the understatement of the century.
"That sounds perfect. Oh, I'll get your room ready and wash all your sheets. Bella, I can't wait…" She could imagine her mom hopping up and down in happiness, her excitement palpable even through the phone.
Bella reclined on the beach chair, glancing around at the other sunbathers and out towards the surfers riding the waves. She looked down at herself and smiled. She was like any other beachgoer. As she talked with her mom about their upcoming reunion, one thing was clear: she was going to take back her life and be Bella Swan once again.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter. This marks the end of Bella living a solitary life. We'll spend a few fun-filled chapters with Bella and her mom getting reacquainted. How do you think Renée will react to the new Bella? Then, Bella will finally meet some vampires and get the answers she so desperately needs—especially the need to keep the secret! Oops. Hopefully, she'll encounter some nice vampires and not those assholes in the Volturi.
I enjoy reading your comments so if you can post a few words. I'm also happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the story. Just don't ask about future events—I'm not Alice. Though, you might be seeing her soon. Hint, hint! :)