Chapter Seven:
Ally POV: One and a half years later
I went to bed early tonight, knowing I'll be having a day trip with my dad tomorrow, and I'll need plenty of sleep to stay alert. I get dressed into my pjs, throw over my blankets, and climb into bed. My bed is so warm, drifting off into sleep quickly. I didn't realize how tired I was before.
Flashback:
"Alexandra" mom called harshly.
"What's up mom?" I questioned being ten years old, quickly wondering why I was in trouble.
I haven't done anything, have I?
Mom walks up to me, one arm hanging by her side, her other hand on her hip, glaring at me.
"Bella just told me about how you stole her money," Renee said.
"What?-no-no I di-" I try to say.
But Renee cut me off saying "I don't want any of your excuses young lady. That was her field trip money!" Renee shouted and slapped me across the face.
She continued "Now I'm going to have to give her back that money, and you're going to pay me back for it. Phil won't be happy either when he learns this." Renee ended her scolding.
I hold the left side of my face.
Bella is lying. I never stole her money.
I'm too afraid to voice what I'm thinking. I don't want to anger her more. I suddenly jolt awake, heart pounding in my chest, the flashback still going. Renee did as she said, and gave Bella her money back, the whole $150.
I had to work my way into giving back Renee the money with chores and other house and outside duties. The allowance I had was revoked, because of Bella.
And in a way it was no shock to me that Bella is Renee's favorite. I am the first born, I should be the responsible one.
Bella on the other hand is the baby so to speak. If she wants something she gets it. With me, I've always had to work for a scrap. Even in my place with their family. I've always been outshined by Bella.
That's why when I talked to Renee and Phil about moving back to forks, Washington, they weren't sad about it. They could have Bella all to themselves, and I wouldn't have to be in the way of it. Not only that, Charlie and I have an unspoken understanding of one another.
We don't necessarily need words to communicate. I was excited to move back with my dad. I wasn't going to get any more sleep tonight.
I grab my laptop from my nightstand, and open it. Going into the folder labeled diary. Clicking on it you open it, and see all your previous entries, skimming through them, some key words stand out in your brain tugging memories good and bad to the front. Shuttering, you almost close your laptop, but you push through. Allowing yourself to feel through it. Pushing your feelings to the side. You start your one-hundredth and fifty-sixth entry.
Dear diary,
It's been a long while since I've written here. I have overcome the overwhelming fear of living with mom and Bella. Sometimes I miss them. I had a dream last night about some of my memories. I woke up terrified. I hope that one day I won't have them anymore, and that I can move on. Today is going to be a good day, I can feel it. I'm going on a trip with my dad and uncle Billy. It's going to be so much fun. I'll add pictures later. I'm excited, today marks Two years that I've lived with dad. And this is our way of celebrating it.
End diary entry.
We were going hunting with dad and Billy. It wasn't my first time. Him and Billy have wanted to go with me for sometime now. It's been a few hunting trips since I've gone with them. And they've missed my joyful presence, just as much as I've missed being outdoors.
"You almost ready dad? I ask.
I've been up for about 3 hours. And have already gotten ready and packed for the day. After the last time, dad, Billy, and I have agreed to only do day trips where we can see clearly in the day. Because of the mountain lion you saw in the night.
"Yeah, I'll be ready in about 20 minutes, just grabbing my gun, and a few other small stuff" Charlie, your dad says back to me.
"Okay, I made you some coffee and waffles," I said back to him.
He immediately goes from his gun safe to the kitchen "I heard coffee and waffles?" He says grinning while sitting at the dining room table.
"Here you go, hot, with extra butter and syrup. And your black coffee" I say, setting his plate of food, coffee mug, napkin and silverware on the table in front of him.
"Thank you Alls" he says standing up and giving you a short hug, before sitting back down and scarfing his meal.
I prepare mine and sit at the table. Once Charlie finishes his he takes his plate in and rinses it off, then puts it in the dishwasher, along with his silverware. He then goes back to his room and finishes packing.
When he comes out he asks "Are you ready to go Ally?"
"Yeah dad, just gotta get all my stuff on me" I say as I put my last dish in the dishwasher.
Grabbing my pepper spray, phone, house/car keys, and the backpack tarp. Charlie and I head out. "Yours or my car?" I ask.
"How about mine? Charlie says.
I nod and head to his police cruiser. Setting the bag in the trunk, you get into the passenger seat. Charlie sets his bag in the trunk too, and shuts it. He goes to the driver's seat, and starts up the car.
He calls Billy "we're heading out now…okay, yeah sounds great….uh-huh, yeah meet you there. I called Billy. He's going to meet us there."
"Okay dad" you say. You put your right earbud in so you can listen to music and hear your dad.
Taking in your surroundings, you never get tired of seeing the same things. The small local businesses around town, Cora's cafe and diner, the local drug store, the high school. You know you're getting closer to the tree outline after you pass Forks high school.
You start to see the thick and lush Forest, pine and fir trees older than you. You feel as if they tell a story, one that can't be heard. The moss and vine covered trees fill your senses as you stare for what feels like an eternity, cracking your window just enough to get the earthy scent in. It's calming. It feels like life itself is filling you.
The damp air keeps the dust down from the dirt path dad drives on. Something quickly moving in the background, you can just barely see if you squint. And it's gone before you can get a glimpse. Chalking it up to an animal you continue to stare out your window.
Once you get to the site you get out of the car. Stretching your legs and arms, you continue to walk forward, walking over to a tree you run your hand across the moss covered bark and smile to yourself. You walk away from the tree and down the trail.
The trail is uneven with dips and tree branches sticking out waiting there to trip you. You carefully make your way down, grabbing onto lower branches to keep your balance. Once you, Billy, and your dad have made it down the trail, you branch off from the trail through some thin trees and small shrubs and bushes.
Finding a nice clearing, there's a small patch of grass surrounded by some small trees with large bushy tops. You'll never get tired of the greenery here. It's so peaceful and relaxing. You slide your bag off of your shoulder, taking out the tarp and unfolding it.
You hear "aww crap" from your dad. And Billy is pinching the bridge of his nose.
"What's up? What's wrong?" You ask, jogging over to them.
"Ally, me and Billy are going to head back, I forgot the guns. I'll meet you back at the tarp" your dad Charlie said.
"Okay guys, be safe" you replied, hugging him tightly.
He hugged you back and said "you be safe too Alls. Stay near the tarp."
Charlie turned around and started walking across the Forest floor, through the thin blanket of green foliage, until they disappeared out of sight onto the trail. You go back to the not quite set up tarp, and continue working.
You hear a branch snap off in the distance, poking your head up, you look around, scanning the Forest around you. You don't see anything out of place. The only thing around you is the verdant forestry.
You get off of your hands and knees, dusting off your hands first then your knees. The soft dirt sticking to your body. Looking around your surroundings again, you see a larger tree not too far away, with still being ear shot from the tarp. You go over to it, taking out your phone to take pictures of it. It seems really old.
The moss adds highlights to the bark, giving it an ancient look. Your eyes look up the tree, and see the moss overgrown on the branches, dangling down to the ground. You notice the birds aren't as loud anymore, it sends shivers down your spine.
Thinking about the possibility of a larger predator out there. You sigh, letting your hand fall from the tree. And walking back slowly to the tarp on the ground. You take a seat, legs folded under you, back hunched over slightly. Closing your eyes, you lay back and look up at the sun through the canopy of trees. It's beautiful. Seeing the light shining down around you.